Mohammed Shami Approaches Milestone of 100 First-Class Matches in Duleep Trophy Final

Celebrating a Milestone

As veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami gears up for his 100th first-class match during the Duleep Trophy final on Sunday, Sourav Ganguly, the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), extended his congratulations. Ganguly highlighted this milestone as a significant achievement for a fast bowler hailing from the subcontinent. He commended Shami's development, consistency, and impact on Test cricket, suggesting that winning the Duleep Trophy final would be the perfect culmination of this achievement. Shami, with 99 first-class matches under his belt, has taken 382 wickets, boasting a personal best of 8/90 in an innings, showcasing his extensive and successful domestic career. He will represent East Zone in the final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Ganguly's Heartfelt Message

"Dear Shami, congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone of 100 first-class matches. For a fast bowler from the subcontinent, this is truly remarkable. I've witnessed your journey; we played together during the early part of your career and the latter part of mine. I always recognized your talent, and I am thrilled to see you utilize it so effectively," Ganguly expressed in a video shared by CAB on social media.

"I enjoy watching your games. Competing in the Duleep Trophy final would be the cherry on top if you secure a victory. Your performances over the years, particularly in Test cricket, have been outstanding. While many fast bowlers hesitate to play Test matches, you have consistently represented India. Congratulations once again from myself and everyone at the Cricket Association of Bengal and the state of West Bengal. This is a fantastic achievement. Enjoy the match, and I hope to see you soon," he added.

Shami's Performance in the Duleep Trophy

Throughout the current Duleep Trophy, Shami has taken five wickets at an impressive average of 28.80, with his best performance being 3/56. His contributions have been vital in leading East Zone to the final, where he claimed five wickets across two innings, eliminating the defending champions, Central Zone, from the tournament.

Although he has been absent from the national team, Shami remains active in domestic and first-class cricket as he aims to regain full fitness and make a case for his return to the Indian squad.