नवीनतम
I just go for wickets, don''t care about economy: Shami
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Mohammed Shami, who has for long used the white ball like a weapon of mass destruction in ICC events, on Thursday said grabbing wickets is his primary aim in global tournaments and "doesn't care about getting hit" for runs.
Shami marked his return to ICC tournament with an exceptional five-for while also becoming the fastest Indian and the second quickest overall to reach 200 ODI wickets during India's six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener here.
"In ICC events, I don't care about getting hit, I want to get wickets. I just go for wickets. I don't care about the economy rate at all. I spent eight hours (a day) in NCA. I had the hunger. Unless and until you have hunger, you cannot achieve your goal," Shami said at the post-match press conference.
"It was tough after 14 months, the comeback. It pinches, it hurts. I got the opportunity to practice in domestic (cricket) that resulted in such a performance.
"After winning, you stay in full condence. Mindset will remain the same against Pakistan. No problem at all," the champion seamer said of the much-awaited February 23 clash against the traditional rivals. While wrecking Bangladesh here, Shami became India's leading wicket-taker in 50-over ICC events. The 34-year-old's ve wickets took his tally to 60, overtaking former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. The left-arm seamer had taken 59 wickets in 32 innings while Shami crossed the mark in just his 19th innings.
He has 55 wickets in ODI World Cups across three editions, with 24 coming in the 2023 tournament hosted at home.
Batting first, Bangladesh’s top order collapsed to 35/5, before a 154-run partnership between Towhid Hridoy (100 in 117 balls, six fours, two sixes) and Jaker Ali (68 in 114 balls, four fours) helped them reach 228/10.
In response, India got off to a solid start with a 69-run opening stand, led by skipper Rohit Sharma (41 off 36 balls, seven fours). Despite a minor stumble at 144/4, Shubman Gill (101 off 129 balls, nine fours, two sixes*) and KL Rahul (41 off 47 balls, one four, two sixes*) guided India to victory.
For his match-winning century, Gill was named 'Player of the Match'.
