India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has acknowledged that playing all their Champions Trophy matches at a single venue has worked in their favour, describing it as a “plus point” after his side secured a place in the final.
Shami played a key role in India’s four-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, returning figures of 3-48. His remarks came amidst criticism of India’s refusal to travel to tournament hosts Pakistan, which resulted in all their matches being scheduled in Dubai under a hybrid model.
"It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch," Shami told reporters after the match. "It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue."
India have won all four of their matches at the Dubai venue and remain unbeaten in their last ten ODIs played there. They will face either South Africa or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, once again in Dubai.
Meanwhile, the remaining teams have had to shuttle between three cities in Pakistan and the UAE, with South Africa even making a trip to Dubai without playing a match before returning to Pakistan in under 24 hours.
Call to lift saliva ban
Shami, 34, also urged cricket authorities to reconsider the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball in ODIs, arguing that it would aid fast bowlers in generating reverse swing.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had initially introduced the saliva ban as a Covid-era precaution in 2020 before making it permanent in 2022.
"We are trying to reverse [the ball], but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game," Shami said. "We are constantly appealing to allow the use of saliva and it will be interesting with the reverse swing."
Shami has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, taking a five-wicket haul in India’s opening match against Bangladesh. Despite briefly leaving the field during the clash against Pakistan, he dispelled concerns over his fitness by delivering a full 10-over spell against Australia.
"I am trying to get my rhythm back and contribute more for the team," he said. "I am ready to bowl long spells."
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir lauded the veteran pacer’s performance, calling him a "world-class performer."
"He's phenomenal and the hunger he brings to the table, the way he trains, the way he practises – that's why you see all those results," Gambhir remarked.
