India has won the Champions Trophy 2025 title but during this time many such incidents were debated.
People saw Mohammed Shami drinking water or juice during the semi-final match against Australia in Dubai and there was a flurry of criticism on social media. However, many well-known personalities also came in support of Shami.
The month of Ramadan is going on right now and it is seen as a holy month in Islam. In such a situation, people started saying that it is a crime for a Muslim not to fast during Ramadan. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of All India Muslim Jamaat, had said that such an act is a crime during Ramadan.
Famous lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar came in support of Shami and said, “Shami sahab, don’t worry about those fanatic fools who have a problem with you drinking water on the field during a cricket match. He has nothing to do with this. You are an important part of the great Indian team that is making us proud. My best wishes to you and our entire team.”
But this debate was not limited to India. It crossed the border and reached Pakistan as well.
Inzamam advised Shami
When the anchor of Pakistan’s City-42 channel asked former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq a question related to Mohammad Shami not fasting, he said, ”It is not a big deal to skip fast while playing. I think the biggest objection was the fact that he drank water in public. It is difficult to fast while playing. We also have our own experience. When the match was on during fasting, the Pakistan team used to go behind the screen during the water break.”
Inzamam-ul-Haq said, ”They used to drink water behind the screen or do whatever they wanted to do. But they used to show respect in front. I have to tell him only this that he should not drink water on the screen. He should go behind and drink water. If you are traveling, you are allowed to skip the fast.”
”It is very difficult to keep a fast while playing. You neither keep a fast nor leave it to please someone. A fast bowler has to work the hardest. In such a situation, I am saying as a sportsman that it is difficult to keep a fast while playing.”
Inzamam said, ”All I want to say is that do not eat and drink in front of the audience. If Shami had drunk water behind the screen, there would have been no controversy.”
Earlier, there was a controversy regarding Mohammed Shami during the match against Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup. In this match, Mohammed Shami took five wickets. After taking the fifth wicket, Shami sat down on the field in such a way that it seemed that he was going to do Sajda but then he got up. People started saying that Shami had stopped himself to avoid controversy.
However, in February 2024, while talking to a YouTube channel, Mohammad Shami had said on the entire controversy, “Some people are saying that I wanted to do Sajda but did not do it. Some people asked me to leave the country. Those who have a worm in their mind, they said it.”
“First of all, I am not afraid of anyone. I am a Muslim and I am proud of it. I am also proud of being an Indian. For me, the country comes first and if someone gets upset by this, then I do not care. If I wanted to do Sajda, I would have done it.”
What did Saqlain Mushtaq say?
On the controversy of Shami not keeping fast, former Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq said, “I do not understand why we pay attention to these things. We should focus on becoming good people and moving forward with positive things. What are we debating on social media these days? We are debating on such things, which do not benefit even a bit. We are getting into these things too much. Such things are increasing not only in Pakistan but also on the Indian side.”
Saqlain Mushtaq said, ”Making a mountain out of a molehill is a skill. This is the art. People want to become famous this way and they do become famous.”
Interrupting Saqlain, Inzamam said, ”The problem is that no one is becoming famous by doing good work. Unless you insult someone, unless you take off someone’s clothes, a person does not become famous. When Pakistan is out, we have started taking off our clothes. I asked one of my friends why he lied so much, he said that no one wanted to hear the truth. If I praise Saqlain, no one will want to listen. If I speak ill of them, people will take it in kind.”
Inzamam gets angry at Sunil Gavaskar
On 24 February, Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Today, ”India’s B team can beat Pakistan right now.” Inzamam did not like Gavaskar’s comment.
Inzamam took Gavaskar to task and said, ”India won this time because they played well but Gavaskar sahab should look at some data. Once when he had to play against Pakistan in Sharjah, he ran away.”
”He is older than us and senior so we respect him but such comments should not be made while talking about any country. You can praise your team as much as you want but it is illegal to talk like this about others. Even today, if you look at the statistics, you will know how many matches we have beaten India. I am very sorry that you are lowering your dignity by making such a comment.
Also read: How did Team India forget the World Cup defeat and win two big titles in 15 months?
Inzamam said, “You can praise your country and players as much as you want but don’t say such things about any other country. Be careful with your words. I am saying this in very strong words.”
Pakistan was hosting this year’s Champions Trophy but after India refused to go to Pakistan, some matches had to be shifted to Dubai. India played all its matches in Dubai. Because India reached the final, the final was also held in Dubai. The people of Pakistan were very angry about this attitude of India.
