Bangladesh Batsmen Are Scared Of Short Pitch Bowling, Says Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami has been one of the spearheads of the Indian fast bowling unit, especially in Test match cricket. The right-hander has formed a formidable partnership with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma and have proceeded to wrack havoc on the opposition batsmen in the past 2-3 years.

And, Bangladeshi batsmen had a first-hand experience of it when they toured India for a two-match Test series last November. The second Test of that series was a historic affair with both sides making their debut in Day-Night Tests. The magnanimous occasion took place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But for Bangladeshi batsman, it turned out to be forgettable one as they succumbed to the thunderbolts dished out by the Indian pace-bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.

Commenting on his experience of playing with the Pink ball, Shami said that at first, he did not understand about what was special with the Pink ball as no one knew whether it would swing or not.

“Honestly I didn’t understand what was special with the pink ball. The match started in the afternoon. At first there was no added benefit. When we played the day-night Test against Bangladesh, the game was played in SG ball. There was a different feeling in the ball, we didn’t know when it would move or swing.” Mohammad Shami said as quoted by bdcrictime.com

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Mohammed Shami reveals the reason behind his short-ball strategy against Bangladesh

With the ball not telling swinging in the afternoon, the Indian fast bowlers resorted to the short-pitch stuff which proved to be a real nemesis for the Bangladeshi batsmen as several of their batters were hit on their helmet, while Liton  Das was retired hurt due to concussion. Shami said it was tactical ploy on his part as he felt that Bangladesh batsmen are scared of the short ball.

“When I came to bowl, I decided to bowl short balls. I have noticed that Bangladeshi batsmen are unnecessarily scared when they are given a short ball. I have no hesitation in saying this. I have to say what I say.” Mohammed Shami, who picked up three wickets in the first innings, added.

Indian pacers took all the ten wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 106 in their first innings. Replying to India’s 9-347, Bangladesh fared slightly well in the second innings courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim’s 74 but even that wasn’t enough for the visitors to force India to bat again as the Men in Blue notched up a win by an innings and 46 runs inside three days.

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