DUBAI: India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has broken ranks by admitting that playing all their Champions Trophy games at one venue in Dubai has been to their advantage.
Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the semifinals on Tuesday in Dubai.
India coach Gautam Gambhir afterwards lashed out at critics who have said playing at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time is unfair.
India refused to travel to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan over political tensions and have won all four of their games at their temporary home.
They will face South Africa or New Zealand in Sunday’s final, again in Dubai.
The other seven teams in the ODI competition have meanwhile had to shuttle between three Pakistani cities and the United Arab Emirates.
“It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behavior of the pitch,” Shami said Tuesday after his pivotal role in beating Australia.
“It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue.”
As part of the hybrid arrangement of the tournament, South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai, only to return to Pakistan again less than 24 hours later without playing a game.
India are unbeaten in the 10 ODIs they have played in Dubai, winning nine.
Shami, 34, claimed a five-wicket haul in India’s opening win over Bangladesh and has bowled with pace and accuracy.
But a question on getting reverse swing with the old ball got Shami pleading with cricket authorities to allow the use of saliva to polish the ball in the 50-over format.
The International Cricket Council in 2022 made a ban on saliva — brought in during the Covid pandemic — permanent.
“We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game,” Shami told reporters.
“We are constantly appealing to allow the use of saliva and it will be interesting with the reverse swing.”
The use of saliva to shine one side of the old ball and keep the other rough helps fast bowlers get the leather ball to swing late and can be a lethal weapon in the final few overs of an ODI match.
They can still use sweat.
After a strong start to the tournament, Shami left the field briefly in the win over Pakistan.
He has now put all fears of any fitness issues to rest with two matches in three days and bowling his full quota of 10 overs against Australia.
“I am trying to get my rhythm back and contribute more for the team,” said Shami.
He added: “I am ready to bowl long spells.”
Gambhir called Shami “a world-class performer.”
“He’s phenomenal and the hunger he brings on the table, the way he trains, the way he practices — that’s why you see all those results.”
Shami admits playing at one venue ‘definitely helps’ finalists India
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Shami admits playing at one venue ‘definitely helps’ finalists India
- Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the semifinals
- India refused to travel to Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan, won all four of their games in Dubai
FIA signs cooperation agreement with Arab League
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says pact reflects commitment to deliver practical solutions for mobility, tourism and regional cooperation
DUBAI: The FIA, the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, has signed an agreement with the Arab League to strengthen cooperation across transport, tourism, sport, and regional policy.
The aim of the pact is to improve cross-border movement through internationally recognized travel and transport documents, including the Carnet de Passages en Douane system for the temporary admission of vehicles, and the International Driving Permit.
Both play an important role in facilitating travel, trade, and tourism, supporting greater regional integration, according to a recent press release from the organization.
FIA Member Clubs are trusted issuers of CPDs and International Driving Permits, working closely with national authorities and international frameworks.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA’s president, said: “This memorandum reflects the FIA’s commitment to working in partnership to deliver practical solutions that support mobility, tourism and regional cooperation.
“By strengthening collaboration with the League of Arab States, we are reinforcing the role of our FIA Member Clubs as trusted partners in facilitating cross-border movement and contributing to economic integration across the region.”
Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, assistant secretary-general and head of the economic affairs sector of the Arab League, said: “The LAS General Secretariat places great importance on building partnerships with international and regional organizations in this vital sector in all its forms.
“The FIA is a leading international organization active in transport, tourism, road safety and motorsport for development, and includes national clubs from a number of Arab countries among its members.”
Essa Hamza, chair of the FIA MENA Council, added: “This partnership delivers a platform to advance regional connectivity. Together we are strengthening tourism and cross-border travel, creating a real impact for people and institutions across the Arab world.”
Signed at the league’s general secretariat in Cairo, the agreement builds a framework for practical collaboration and knowledge sharing, the press release stated.
