New Delhi: The BCCI Saturday paid a glowing tribute Mohammad Shami, saying the wily India pacer defined an era of pace bowling in Test cricket.
Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket Friday night. He ended his Test journey with 229 wickets from 64 matches, making him the sixth most successful pacer in Tests for the country behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma (both 311), Javagal Srinath (236), Jasprit Bumrah (234).
“Thank you for defining an era of Indian pace bowling, Test Cap #279,” wrote the BCCI on social media.
Former India cricketers also joined in to congratulate Shami on a successful red-ball career. Ravi Shastri believes Shami had more red-ball cricket left in him.
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“Incredible career. I was lucky that I was the coach at that time. He was instrumental in India doing well. Without him the fast bowling unit would not have functioned. No one presented the seam better than him in world cricket. You could say James Anderson as well. If Shami did not get the wickets, he would still keep the pressure on the opposition.
“Sad to see him go. I definitely thought he had another 30-40 wickets left in him. He should have played in the last 12 months. May be should have been on this New Zealand tour as a Test match bowler,” Shastri told the host broadcaster during the second ODI in New Zealand.
“Many congratulations on your wonderful red ball cricket career
@MdShami11. Your late movement with that cherry will be missed,” wrote Pathan.
“You will be Missed in Whites Buddy, congratulations on your amazing career.
See you soon in Blues,” added another former India pacer Munaf Patel.
His Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary said it was an honour to playing alongside Shami.
“The red ball may no longer be in his hands, but the memories of his thunderbolts will forever remain in the hearts of cricket lovers. Some legends don’t say goodbye; they simply become history.
“This what it meant to me When I was leading the bengal team and having Shami in the bowling line up. Warrior at heart,” said Tiwary.