Mohammed Shami has set the 2023 world cup on fire with his sensational form in the competition.
Ever since his first game of the tournament against New Zealand in Dharamsala, the seasoned campaigner has been unstoppable, delivering match-winning performances one after another.
Despite missing the first three matches as the Indian team management preferred allrounder Hardik Pandya as the third seamer, Shami has stormed to the top of the top wicket-takers list with 23 scalps from just six matches.
He’s now the all-time leading wicket-taker for India in ODI World Cup history with 54 scalps from 17 matches.
Additionally, he’s also become the quickest in the tournament’s history to 50 wickets.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
His younger brother Mohammad Kaif, also a right-arm pacer who plays for Bengal too, is pleased as punch watching the exploits of his ‘hero’.
“It feels great knowing that my brother has bee performing at this level and I am proud of him. Everybody is seeing how he has performed with Allah’s blessing. It’s great that he’s been in such a form in a World Cup,” Kaif told News18 in an exclusive conversation ahead of the world cup final.
Shami took a seven-for in the semi-final against New Zealand and thus created the new record for the best ever bowling figures by an Indian in ODI history.
Thanks to his performance, India swept aside New Zealand to make it to the final where they face Australia in Sunday.
With eyes of the entire nation trained on India and Shami, Kaif has a message for his elder brother. “I want him to perform in the same way in the final and hope he gives his best. He should give his best for our country. We are all waiting (for the world cup title),” he said.
The kind of form Shami has shown since being included in the playing XI after an unfortunate injury to Pandya, does Kaif feel bad that the 33-year-old was left to warm the benches for the opening three matches?
“It’s the job of the coach and team selectors to decide what’s best for the team. It’s not an issue that he didn’t play the first three matches,” Kaif said.
Kaif, who has played two List A games for Bengal, says the manner in which Indian pacers have been performing of late will inspire the younger generation.
“Fast bowler are now doing great and it sends a good message to the young cricketers. I think this is best fast bowling attack India ever had. (Jasprit) Bumrah to Shami bhai all have been terrific,” he said.
So, did Kaif get a chance to speak to Shami on his record-breaking show?
“He (Shami) is very busy but he did speak to me. I congratulated him. It’s a great feeling for India and for our family,” the 26-year-old said.
Kaif tries to absorb as much as he can whenever he meets his brother to improve his own bowling.
“I try to learn from bhaiya whenever I meet him. He’s always giving me inputs when we speak on phone. He shares tips whenever we meet,” Kaif said.
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