'Shami should have...': Ramiz Raja gives honest take on India pacer's World Cup comeback vs New Zealand

Mohammed Shami scripted history in his first match of the ICC World Cup 2023 against New Zealand.

It takes something to overshadow a free-scoring Virat Kohli in your first ICC World Cup 2023 match. Pace ace Mohammed Shami was made to warm the bench for the first four matches of the ICC World Cup. Before breaking into the playing XI for the first time at the ODI World Cup 2023 against New Zealand on Sunday, the senior pacer had picked up a match-winning five-wicket haul in his last One Day International (ODI) outing against Australia.

Ramiz said that Shami was phenomenal in the death overs against the Kiwis (Getty Images-AFP)

Returning to the Indian side due to an ankle injury to Hardik Pandya, pace ace Shami achieved the same magical figures again as the star pacer registered a memorable five-wicket haul against the Black Caps. The senior fast bowler was right on the money with his first delivery of the World Cup 2023. Shami cleaned up Will Young when Indian skipper Rohit Sharma unleashed the fast bowler against New Zealand in the ninth over

Shami's bowling heroics and a Kohli batting masterclass paved the way for India to break its 20-year jinx against New Zealand in ICC events. Reflecting on the bowling performance of senior pacer Shami, former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja opined that the India fast bowler has proved a point with his fifer against the Kiwis.

'Shami proved a point'

"It is very tough to take a five-wicket haul after being benched. It was a very big performance. This is why India are so strong. The players on the bench are very capable of replacing any member of the playing XI and winning the Player of the Match award. He was phenomenal in the death overs. He proved a point. Shami should have played a lot earlier, as he is a match-winner," Ramiz said on YouTube.

Shami scripts World Cup history

Shami's five-wicket haul restricted New Zealand to 273 in 50 overs. The veteran pacer bagged five wickets and leaked 54 runs in his 10 overs. With 36 wickets to his name, Shami has become the third-highest wicket-taker for India at the ODI World Cup. He is also the first Indian bowler to take two fifers in World Cups.

'Pakistan used to bowl like this'

"India's fast bowling in the last 10 overs was world-class. Once upon a time, Pakistan used to bowl like this. India have become a top-quality team with the ball. They have a killer combination in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami," the former Pakistani cricketer added.