Wasim Akram harshly criticised Hasan Raza, a former cricket player for Pakistan, for saying that Indian bowlers in the 2023 World Cup are receiving “different and suspicious balls.” Leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in international cricket, Akram, took exception at the statements, claiming that they may embarrass them.
Wasim Akram said on A-Sports, “I have been reading about it for the last couple of days. I want to have the same thing these guys are having, sounds like fun because their mind is not there. You will embarrass yourself and you will get us humiliated as well in front of the whole world.”
The quantity of seam along with swing that Indian bowlers, particularly Mohammed Shami as well as Mohammed Siraj, are receiving, was previously mentioned by Raza as surprising. In addition, he requested a “inspection” of the balls being used.
Hasan Raza had said, “We are seeing that when they are batting, they bat really well and suddenly the ball starts doing things when India bowl. There have been 7-8 close DRS calls that have gone in their favour.”
He added, “The way Siraj and Shami were swinging the ball, it seemed like the apex cricket council or the Indian Cricket Board were giving them different and suspicious balls in the second innings. There needs to be an inspection done on the ball. There could also be an extra layer of coating on the ball for swing.”
India’s impeccable showing against Sri Lanka in ODI World Cup 2023
Raza said this following India’s 302 run victory over Sri Lanka on November 2 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Men in Blue knocked the Islanders down with a 55 after 19.4 overs. They successfully defended a massive 358 total in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Mohammed Shami concluded with stats of 5/18, making him the best Indian bowler. Additionally, he became India’s most prolific wicket-taker in the 50-over World Cup’s history. At the start of the second innings, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama were all removed by Siraj.