• Team India's Oval celebration was swiftly followed by a surprising and baseless controversy initiated by former Pakistan pacer Shabbir Ahmed.

  • His unfounded allegations of ball-tampering cast a shadow over what was otherwise a masterful cricketing performance and drew sharp criticism from fans and experts.

‘Send this Pakistani lunatic to the mental asylum’: Fans brutally roast Shabbir Ahmed after he alleges Team India for using Vaseline in Oval Test
Shabbir Ahmed (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

The climax of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval was a spectacle of resilience and skill, as Team India defied the odds to secure a thrilling six-run victory over England. This hard-fought win, which leveled the series at 2-2, was orchestrated by an incredible bowling display on the final day, where India’s pacers made an old ball talk. However, the celebration was swiftly followed by a surprising and baseless controversy initiated by former Pakistan pacer Shabbir Ahmed. His unfounded allegations of ball-tampering, made on a public platform, cast a shadow over what was otherwise a masterful cricketing performance and drew sharp criticism from fans and experts.

The unfounded accusation by former Pakistan pacer following India’s historic victory at The Oval

Team India’s miraculous win in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, where they defended a 374-run target, was a testament to their unwavering spirit. The match seemed to be slipping away from them on Day 4, with England cruising at 301/3, courtesy of centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook. However, the tables turned dramatically when India’s pace attack managed to extract extraordinary swing and movement from a ball that was over 80 overs old.

It was this remarkable, and ultimately match-winning, bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna that drew the ire of former Pakistan pacer Shabbir. Ahmed took to X to make a serious and unsubstantiated claim, suggesting the Indian team had illegally altered the condition of the ball. “I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over Ball still shine like new Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine,” he wrote, openly accusing the victorious side of foul play and attempting to delegitimize their hard-earned win. His post, driven by an inability to accept the sheer brilliance of the Indian bowlers, quickly went viral and was met with widespread condemnation from fans.

Also READ: Actress Tamannaah Bhatia breaks silence on alleged wedding with Abdul Razzaq and link-up with Virat Kohli

Here’s how fans reacted:

Shabbir Ahmed’s controversial career and the ironic twist

The former Pakistan fast bowler’s accusations against the Indian cricket team were particularly ironic given his own controversial history with the sport’s regulations. Shabbir, who played a total of 10 Tests and 32 ODIs for Pakistan, was himself at the center of a major controversy during his career. In a well-documented incident, he was suspended from international cricket for a full year after his bowling action was officially deemed illegal, making him the first bowler in history to be handed a 12-month ban for such an offense. Beyond his international career, Ahmed also played a significant role in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL), representing the Chennai Superstars. During his time there, he delivered a memorable performance in the inaugural ICL final, where he took a hat-trick to help his team secure the championship title, further solidifying his complex and often contradictory place in cricketing history.

Also READ: Romario Shepherd returns as West Indies announces 15-member squad for the ODI series vs Pakistan

Subscribe to Cricket Times on YouTube to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Featured India Pakistan Test Twitter Reactions

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
Amar is a sports enthusiast and a talented writer who has found the perfect career that combines his two passions. As a valuable member of Cricket Times, Amar brings his passion for cricket and his talent for writing to the fore, providing readers with insightful and engaging content. Cricket lives rent-free in his mind. A person who views cricket as a metaphor for life. You can connect with Amar at amar.bhalla@crickettimes.com and also follow him on LinkedIn.