Star India fast bowler opens up about allegations of match-fixing on Mohammed Shami by his ex-wife

Mohammed Shami (Source - Twitter)

Back in 2018, India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami was dragged into the controversy by his estranged wife Hasin Jahan, who had levelled various allegations against him, including match-fixing. It triggered the Indian Cricket Board to call upon its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to investigate the matter. His teammate and a veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma recalled the tough phase of Shami’s career and how he came out of it, leading to a stronger bond between the two pacers.

Shami has been one of India’s pivotal members in all three formats, especially in Tests. But his career declined in 2018 when Jahan lodged a police complaint, alleging him of match-fixing, adultery, and domestic violence. Consequently, the Indian Cricket Board decided to uphold Shami’s central contract. 

Regarding match-fixing, Jahan claimed that her husband received money from a Pakistani woman. The Indian Cricket Board decided to investigate the matter after the Supreme Court appointed the Committee of Administrators (CoA). However, the Indian pacer was later cleared of all charges.

I was asked everything and all was written down: Ishant Sharma

"I had a word with him and he did share of lot on the topic. Whatever had happened, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) had approached us all, and they had asked us whether Shami could do a match-fixing or not. Just like policemen lodge a complaint...I was asked everything and all was written down,” said Sharma while speaking to Cricbuzz, on their 'Rise of New India' show.

“I had told them, 'I don't know his personal things but I'm 200 per cent sure he can't do that because I know him that well.’ When he heard, I said those words. He realised that what I think of him and our bond became stronger," added the right-arm pacer.

Ishant was one of the integral fast bowlers, along with Shami, in the Indian Test side. Appearing in 105 Tests for India, the 34-year-old has scalped 311 wickets with a bowling average of 32.40.