New Delhi, Sep 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) hosted its illustrious Annual Award Ceremony on Saturday, where they bestowed a special accolade upon India’s eminent fast bowler, Mohammad Shami, in recognition of his stellar performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023.

During the event, Shami expressed his eagerness to once again don the Bengal jersey, revealing his plans to rejoin the team with an eye on making a strong comeback to international cricket. He articulated his aspirations clearly: “I am keen to play for Bengal next season. My target is to participate in two to three Ranji Trophy matches, which will be crucial for my return to the international arena. I have been rigorously training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and aim to play only when I am at peak fitness.”

Originally hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Shami’s cricketing journey took a significant turn when he was discovered playing first-class cricket for Bengal. Since his debut in 2011, he has played 15 first-class matches and an equal number of List A games before being selected for India’s ODI squad against Pakistan in Delhi in January 2013.

Reflecting on his cricketing odyssey, Shami said, “I owe an immense debt of gratitude to Bengal. Although I was born in UP, where opportunities were scarce, it was Bengal that shaped my cricketing career. This journey spans 22 years, and the love and support from Bengal have been unwavering. I often say I was born in UP but made in Bengal. The warmth and encouragement from Bengal will always remain with me. I also advocate for the growth of women’s cricket and hope that society will support and nurture it, just as they have with men’s cricket.”

The event also provided a platform for Shami to share his thoughts on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy, set to commence in December. Shami expressed confidence in India’s chances against Australia in the five-match Test series. “I believe India are strong contenders to win the series. In our last series in Australia, we triumphed with a youthful team despite the absence of several senior players. This demonstrated our prowess, and I am confident that the forthcoming series will be highly competitive, with India emerging victorious.”

Shami’s remarks highlighted not only his personal journey and future aspirations but also his belief in the broader progress of Indian cricket, including both men’s and women’s teams.