Kumar Bahukhandi
Mohammed Shami – Photo: PTI
Rohit Pawar said, ‘If Mohammad Shami feels that while representing the country, his performance will be affected or something will happen due to fasting, then he will never be able to sleep. He is a staunch Indian who has led the team to victory many times. Religion should not be brought into sports. If you ask any Muslim person today, he will say that he is proud of Mohammad Shami.’
A war of words has broken out over Indian cricket team’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Actually, Shami was seen drinking water while playing during the Champions Trophy match. Since then, he has been the target of some people from the Muslim community. Bareilly’s Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi objected to Shami drinking energy drinks. He said that not fasting during Ramadan is a sin. On this, AIIA President Maulana Sajid Rashidi retaliated and said that fasting or not is a personal matter. Now Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MLA Rohit Pawar has also reacted to this.
He said, ‘If Mohammed Shami feels that while representing the country, his performance will be affected even a little bit due to fasting or if something happens, then he will never be able to sleep. He is a staunch Indian, who has led the team to victory many times. Religion should not be brought into sports. If you ask any Muslim person today, he will say that he is proud of Mohammed Shami.’
He is a criminal in the eyes of Shariat: Maulvi
Earlier, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of All India Muslim Jamaat, had strongly criticized Shami. He said, ‘One of the mandatory duties is Roza (fasting). If a healthy man or woman does not keep Roza, then he is a big criminal. A famous Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami drank water or any other beverage during the match. People were watching him. If he is playing, it means that he is healthy. In such a condition, he did not keep Roza and also drank water. This sends a wrong message to the people. By not keeping Roza, he has committed a sin. He should not do this. He is a criminal in the eyes of Shariat. He will have to answer to God.
Shami’s performance in Champions Trophy
Shami, who has returned after recovering from injury, has handled the new ball with Harshit Rana or Hardik Pandya during the Champions Trophy in the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah. Rana is new and Pandya is an all-rounder who usually does not bowl 10 overs in an ODI match. Shami has taken eight wickets in the tournament so far. Shami suffered an ankle injury during the World Cup 2023 and was on a long break.
