Shama Mohamed Supports Mohammed Shami in Roza Controversy

Zezan D'Souza — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:05:04 +0000

Shama Mohamed Supports Shami in Roza Controversy: Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has found himself in the middle of a controversy after a video of him drinking a hydration drink during the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against Australia went viral. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who had previously criticized Rohit Sharma, has now come forward to defend Shami.

Shami played a key role in India’s semifinal win over Australia on March 4 in Dubai. He was India’s top wicket-taker in the match, finishing with figures of 3/48 as India bowled Australia out for 264 runs in 49.3 overs. India went on to win the match by four wickets and secured a spot in the final.

Criticism for Not Fasting During Ramzan

Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi, the national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, criticized Shami for not observing Roza (fasting) during the match. He even called Shami a “criminal” for breaking his fast while playing.

“One of the compulsory duties in Islam is Roza (fasting). If a healthy person does not observe Roza, they are considered guilty. Mohammed Shami, a famous Indian cricketer, was seen drinking water or another beverage during a match,”
he told ANI.

Shama Mohamed Defends Shami

Shama Mohamed has strongly defended Shami, saying that Islam allows exceptions to fasting while traveling. She explained that as a cricketer playing away from home, Shami had every right to break his fast.

“In Islam, there is a clear rule about fasting during travel. When we are away from home, we don’t have to observe Roza. Mohammed Shami is traveling and playing an intense sport, so there is no obligation for him to fast. Islam is a very scientific religion, and it values good deeds more than anything else,”
she told ANI.

This statement comes after Shama Mohamed faced backlash for her now-deleted tweet criticizing Rohit Sharma. She had made remarks about his weight and called him the “most unimpressive Indian captain.” Her comments were condemned by former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Gavaskar.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali Supports Shami

Another Islamic scholar, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, also supported Shami. He pointed out that Islam gives people the option to skip fasting if they are traveling or unwell.

“Fasting is an important duty, but the Quran clearly states that travelers and sick people are allowed not to fast. Shami was on an international tour, so he had the choice. No one has the right to criticize him for that,”
he said.

Shami’s Performance in Champions Trophy 2025

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Shami has been leading India’s pace attack in the Champions Trophy. He made a strong start with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh but went wicketless in matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. So far, he has taken eight wickets, making him India’s top wicket-taker in the tournament.

Shami will now focus on India’s final match against New Zealand on March 9 in Dubai. He will be aiming to win his first ICC tournament and help India lift the Champions Trophy.

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“Absolute Nonsense” – Jason Gillespie Fires Back at Sunil Gavaskar

Zezan D'Souza — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 22:25:46 +0000

Jason Gillespie Fires Back at Sunil Gavaskar: Former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has hit back at Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar for his recent comments about Pakistan cricket. Gavaskar made the remarks after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they were knocked out in the group stage despite being the hosts and defending champions.

Pakistan’s Poor Performance in Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan had a disastrous campaign, failing to win a single match.

They lost their opening game to New Zealand by 60 runs.
In their second match, they were beaten by India by six wickets.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain, sealing their early exit from the tournament.

After Pakistan’s elimination, Gavaskar claimed that even India’s second-string team could defeat them in their current form.

“I think an Indian B team could definitely challenge Pakistan. I’m not sure about a C team, but the B team would be very tough for them to beat,”
Gavaskar said on Sports Today.

Jason Gillespie Dismisses Gavaskar’s Comments

Jason Gillespie strongly disagreed with Gavaskar’s statement, calling it “absolute nonsense.” The former Australian fast bowler believes that Pakistan has the talent to beat any team if they select and support the right players.

“I don’t believe this at all. I saw Sunil Gavaskar’s comments about India’s B or C team being better than Pakistan’s top team. That’s absolute nonsense,”
Gillespie said.

“If Pakistan picks the right players and gives them time to grow and develop, they can compete with any team in the world. The key is to select top-quality talent, support them, and be patient,”
he added.

Pakistan Cricket Lacks Patience – Gillespie

Gillespie also pointed out that impatience is a major issue in Pakistan cricket. He said that unless the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) backs its players and staff properly, the team’s performance will not improve.

“There is far too much impatience in Pakistan cricket. If the PCB wants better results, they need to hire the right people, choose the best players, and support them for the long run,”
he explained.

Coaches Need Time to Bring Change

Gillespie also emphasized that coaches need time to build a strong team. Without stability, he said, Pakistan will continue to struggle.

He was appointed Pakistan’s Test coach in April last year but resigned in December after being removed from the selection panel during the Test series against England. Similarly, Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s white-ball coach, also stepped down just six months after taking charge.

“The same applies to coaches. If you hire a coach, give them time to create something meaningful. Otherwise, the results will remain the same,”
Gillespie said.

Pakistan now faces the challenge of rebuilding their team, but unless long-term plans are put in place, their struggles might continue.