MUMBAI — India’s Mohammed Shami will have to wait a little longer for his return to international cricket after the fast bowler was sidelined for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old played through pain the last time India toured Australia and finished as his team’s second-highest wicket taker at the 2015 World Cup, claiming 17 victims.
He underwent surgery after returning from Australia in March and was out of action until he returned to domestic cricket last month.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) named paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar as Shami’s replacement for the tour, where India will play five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches.
“The BCCI medical team confirms that Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of India’s tour of Australia due to injury,” the board said in a statement.
Afghanistan beats Zimbabwe
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by five runs in a thrilling Twenty20 clash Friday to follow its triumph in the one-day series.
Chasing 188 to win, Zimbabwe fell just short when Luke Jongwe, needing a six to win, was dismissed off the last ball of the match.
It was a controversial finish, however, after Afghanistan seamer Dawlat Zadran was allowed to keep bowling the final over despite having sent down two waist-high full tosses.
Jongwe was caught by Gulbadin Naib out in the deep to leave Zimbabwe on 182-7 in their 20 overs.
Malcolm Waller was the not out batsman on 49 with two sixes and two boundaries off 37 balls. Zadran finished with 3-32 off his four overs.
Afghanistan had won the toss and chose to bat, making 187-7 in their 20 overs.
Usman Ghani top-scored with 42 off 38 balls with a six and five boundaries while man-of-the-match Naib made 37 and Mohammad Shahzad, 33.
Veteran off-spinner Graeme Cremer returned impressive figures of 3-17.
Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai defended Zadran’s bowling, blaming the last-over beamers on the late-night damp which made it difficult to hold the ball.
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said his team were not happy with some of the officials’ decisions.
“Some of the decisions, you can’t really control them, but I thought we had a good chance, obviously, if other things went our way, which I can’t mention,” he said.
The second and final match takes place at the same venue Sunday.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 187-7 (Usman Ghani 42, Gulbadin Naib 37, Mohammad Shahzad 33; Graeme Cremer 3-17). Zimbabwe 182-7 (Malcolm Waller 49 not out, Hamilton Masakadza 33; Dawlat Zadran 3-32). — Agencies
