AHMEDABAD, India: Paceman Mohammed Siraj feared his humble roots as the son of an auto-rickshaw driver would shatter his dreams of playing at the World Cup.
On Saturday, however, the 29-year-old fast bowler played a crucial role in India’s seven-wicket rout of arch-rivals Pakistan at Ahmedabad’s 132,000-seater ground, the world’s biggest cricket arena.
He dismissed opener Abdullah Shafique lbw for 20 and later claimed the prize wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam who had made 50.
From 155-2, Pakistan collapsed to 191 all out in 42.5 overs.
“To be honest I never thought that I would play a World Cup because I have come from so low (background),” Hyderabad native Siraj told reporters.
Siraj, whose rickshaw-driving father died in 2020, rose from his humble beginnings to play in the cash-soaked Indian Premier League.
He made his ODI debut in 2019 and Test bow the following year.
“Now I am playing so it is a matter of achievement for me. India and Pakistan are known for their high intensity and high-pressure games and today I saw that and I felt good.”
Siraj went wicketless for 76 runs in India’s previous win over Afghanistan but came roaring back on Saturday.
He insisted his previous performance did not affect his mindset coming into the key clash.
“Everyone has an off day. The graph can come down sometimes and one bad day doesn’t make me a bad performer,” said Siraj, who singled out Shafique’s wicket as being a planned strike.
“So I keep my confidence up with the fact that I am bowling well. This confidence helps me in my bowling and I have backed myself to do that and got the result today.”
Siraj was ably supported by the rest of the bowlers with Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya also taking two wickets each.
“Our bowling unit is doing so well, it’s not that just one bowler is performing,” said Siraj.
“Everyone is putting up his hand even if someone is not getting a wicket then he is building pressure and bowling a dot ball. All this will help the team succeed.”
India remain favorites to win the tournament after they registered their third win in as many matches to lead the 10-team table.
“This is a World Cup match, and every match is very important for us, not just an India-Pakistan match,” said Siraj.
“We are focusing on one match at a time. We played three and won three. The environment is very good.”
'Never thought I’d play at World Cup,' says rickshaw driver’s son Siraj
https://arab.news/6gg6m
'Never thought I’d play at World Cup,' says rickshaw driver’s son Siraj
- Mohammed Siraj played a crucial role in India’s thumping victory over Pakistan on Saturday
- Siraj rose from his humble beginnings to play in the cash-soaked Indian Premier League
Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona
- Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga
MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.
