• Source:JND
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Mohammed Shami's stellar performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 showcased his prowess as a premier fast bowler, contributing significantly to India's campaign. Finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with an impressive tally of 24 wickets from seven matches, Shami not only left an indelible mark on the competition but also etched his name in the history books.

During the tournament, Shami achieved a milestone by becoming the leading wicket-taker from India in the history of ODI World Cups, amassing a total of 55 scalps. His remarkable feat included three five-wicket hauls against formidable opponents such as New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Notably, he replicated his success against New Zealand in the first semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

There were reports from certain media outlets in Pakistan claiming that Shami intended to perform the sacred 'Sajda' (Islamic act of prostration) but withdrew at the last moment due to fear. Responding to these claims, Shami clarified that nobody can stop him from performing Sajda, emphasizing his pride as an Indian Muslim. He asserted that he does not need permission from anyone to practice his faith and proudly stated that he wouldn't be living in India if he had to seek such approvals.

“If I want to do Sajda then who will stop me? I won’t stop anyone from other religion nor will they stop me. If I want to do it, I will do it. What’s the problem in it? I’m a Muslim, I proudly say that I’m a Muslim and an Indian. So what’s the problem in it? If I had any problem then I wouldn’t be living in India. If I had to take permission to do Sajda from someone then why will I live here,” Shami was quoted as saying on Aaj Tak.

Shami further clarified that his celebration was more out of exhaustion as he had given 200% in his spell.

“Even I saw it on Instagram and Twitter that people were claiming that I wanted to do Sajda but didn’t do it. Have I ever done it before? I’ve taken many fifers in my life. If you want me to do it tell me where should I do it. I will do it on every platform in India. Nobody can question me about it. I was bowling that spell out of my limit with 200% effort. Hence, I knelt in celebration out of exhaustion. Somebody pulled my hair from behind and I bowed down a bit and people made memes out of it,” Shami added.

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Shami's contribution to the ODI World Cup 2023 not only solidified his position as one of India's premier fast bowlers but also elevated him to the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament. His impressive statistics, including a remarkable average of 13.52 and an economy rate of 5.13, underscored his impact on the global cricketing stage. Additionally, Shami's four five-wicket hauls in World Cup history further established his prowess as a wicket-taking bowler in crucial encounters.