‘I’m Here To Stay’: Shami’s Match-Winning Ranji Spell Sends Strong Message To Agarkar | Cricket News

Mohammed Shami played a match-winning role for Bengal (Picture credit: PTI)

Star India pacer Mohammed Shami starred in a special video posted by the Cricket Association of Bengal after his match-winning effort in the Ranji Trophy match against Uttarakhand, just a day after chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that he was yet to attain match fitness.

Shami showed his class with a fiery spell on the final day, grabbing four wickets to propel Bengal to a commanding eight-wicket win against Uttarakhand in their Ranji Trophy Group C clash on Saturday, October 18.

Shami, embroiled in a subtle war of words with Agarkar over his omission from India’s ODI team for the Australia tour, let his bowling speak for him on the final day of the Ranji Trophy clash.

“I am here to stay,” Shami said in a social media post by the CAB.

“When hard work meets experience, results look like this! 🙌 Well done Bengal boys,” Shami posted on his social media. 

Resuming the final day at 165/2 with captain Kunal Chandela batting on 68 and Bhupen Lalwani on 12, Uttarakhand lost the plot once Shami got into his rhythm.

The star Indian pacer made the most of the morning conditions, finishing with 4/38 from under 25 overs, while Akash Deep and Ishan Porel picked up two wickets each as Uttarakhand were dismissed for 265.

Shami first trapped Chandela LBW for 72 to kickstart the collapse, then came back after lunch to take down Abhay Negi, Janmejay Joshi and Rajan Kumar in a scorching spell.

From a steady 173/2, Uttarakhand lost their last eight wickets for just 92 runs to be bowled out for 265.

Former Himachal Pradesh opener Prashant Chopra (82) and Chandela were the only batters to resist, adding some respectability to Uttarakhand’s total before the innings ended in the 97th over.