World Cup 2023 | Mohammed Shami vs Ben Stokes Termed As ‘Over Of The Tournament’
Mohammed Shami trapped Stokes with angling deliveries (x.com)
Indian speedster Mohammed Shami scythed through England’s middle-order to engineer a 100-run win for his side in their 2023 World Cup face-off in Lucknow. The cricketer, tasked to bowl within the powerplay after the departure of Dawid Malan and Joe Root, troubled England’s number four Ben Stokes throughout his 10-ball stay at the crease.
Shami eventually rattled Stokes’ stumps to worsen England’s run-chase troubles at 33-3 by the end of their first eight overs.
Stokes’ dismissal at the hands of Shami hailed by Chopra
Ben Stokes faced ten deliveries in the English innings, including all six in the eighth over, as a searing Mohammed Shami strangulated him at the other end. The speedster troubled Stokes with identical angling deliveries throughout the first five balls of the over until the increasingly frustrated Englishman decided to take charge, only to lose his middle stumps.
Watch: Mohammed Shami sets trap for Ben Stokes
As it turned out, Mohammed Shami’s short burst to Ben Stokes has been hailed as the ‘Over of the Tournament’ by former Indian opener and cricket expert Aakash Chopra. While speaking on JioCinema, Chopra said:
“For me, Shami’s over – when he bowled round the stumps to Ben Stokes was the ‘Over of the tournament’.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator also praised the collective efforts of India’s bowling attack for keeping England down to 129 in their run-chase. Chopra hailed Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami for taking wickets inside the powerplay to put England on the backfoot early in the game. He added:
“But the way the Indian pacers bowled, was impeccable to see. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami taking early and important wickets really put them on the back foot. Overall, the bowling unit worked in tandem and absolutely dismantled England’s batting order.”
Mohammed Shami will now turn up for Team India in their subsequent World Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka. The much-awaited contest will be played out on October 2 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
 "Aakash Saini")
