Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has stirred controversy by accusing India of ball tampering during their Super 8s match against Australia. The allegations centre around Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh’s ability to reverse swing the ball as early as the 15th over, raising eyebrows and prompting calls for an investigation.
Ball-Tampering Accusations
Speaking on a local news channel, Inzamam didn’t mince his words. He called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to “open their eyes” and investigate the alleged misconduct.
“Arshdeep Singh, when he was bowling the 15th over, the ball was reversing. This means the ball was ready for reverse swing by the 12th or the 13th over. Umpires should keep their eyes open to spot these things,” Inzamam stated emphatically.
Inzamam further elaborated, suggesting that if Pakistani bowlers had reversed the ball this early, it would have caused an uproar.
“If it was Pakistani bowlers, this would have been a big issue. We know reverse swing very well, and if Arshdeep can reverse the ball by the 15th over, it means some serious work had been done before,” he stated.
He acknowledged that some bowlers, like Jasprit Bumrah, have the natural ability to reverse swing due to their action, but implied that others would need the ball to be in perfect condition to achieve the same.
Echoes of Concern from Salim Malik
Inzamam’s former teammate, Salim Malik, who was banned for match-fixing in 2000, also supported these concerns.
“Inzy, I always say this, eyes are kept shut when it comes to some teams, and India is one of those teams. This is a serious matter that needs thorough investigation. ICC should not allow these things to slide under the carpet,” Malik added.
Arshdeep Singh was indeed the star for India in their thrilling win over Australia, with impressive figures of 3/37 in Saint Lucia. He dismissed David Warner in the opening over and later took the crucial wickets of Matthew Wade and Tim David in the 18th over.
While some back Inzamam’s call for an inquiry, others believe the claims could be unfounded and risk further straining the already tense cricketing relations between Pakistan and India. The ICC has yet to respond to these allegations, but the cricketing world is watching closely.
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