India's Mohammed Shami reacts as he leaves the field after a five-wicket haul during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between India and Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) India's Mohammed Shami reacts as he leaves the field after a five-wicket haul during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between India and Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) A picture showing Mohammed Shami drinking water during the semifinal of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy has sparked controversy after some criticised the India pacer for not observing roza (fast) in the month of Ramzan. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
In fact, the national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi had called Shami a criminal after his image of drinking water went viral.
“By not keeping ‘Roza’ he (Mohammed Shami) has committed a crime. He should not do this. In the eyes of Shariat,fef777 he is a criminal. He will have to answer God,” the maulana had told ANI.
Mohammad Shami's Champions Trophy 2025 Battle: India's Pacer On Mission To Find His 'Rhythm'Krajicek and Ram would start well, winning a break point in the sixth game, only for their Australian opponents to respond instantly to level the encounter at 4-4.
Meanwhile, Krejcikova, who returned to the top 10 in the world rankings after her success at the All England Club, cited a thigh injury for her decision not to travel to Canada.
w1-coroapgThe comment triggered a wave of support on social media for India pacer. Veteran script writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar too has joined the chorus of voices that came out in support of Shami. Akhtar minced no words in his reaction and told Shami to ignore the "reactionary bigoted idiots".
"Shami saheb, don’t give a damn to those reactionary bigoted idiots who have any problem with your drinking water in a burning afternoon at a cricket field in Dubai," Akhtar wrote in an X post on Friday. "It is none of their business. You are one of the great Indian team that is making us all proud My best wishes to you and our whole team (sic)"
Shami was the best bowler on show in the semifinal against Australia as he picked up three crucial wickets to restrict the Aussies to a below par total in Dubai. Shami dismissed Cooper Conolly, Steven Smith and Nathan Ellis in his 10-over spell where he conceded just 48 runs. Australia were bowled out for 264 and India chased the target in the penultimate over to qualify for the final.
India now face New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy on Sundayq1-vegapg77, March 9.