 "Mohammed Shami announces return to an ICC event with a wicket in first over. Image: AP")
It took just six balls for Mohammed Shami to strike on his return to an ICC tournament as Soumya Sarkar was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday (20 February).
The fun was doubled for India as Harshit Rana struck in the very next over to dismiss Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for another duck. At the time of the Bangladesh captain’s removal, the score for the Bangla Tigers read 2/2 from 1.4 overs.
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Shami returns to ICC event with wicket in first over
Soumya Sarkar was the first to fall as he edged a Shami ball that tailed in. Sarkar was guilty of playing an expansive drive as wicket-keeper KL Rahul took the catch.
Najmul Hossain Shanto got caught at the shortish cover-point by Virat Kohli after playing another mistimed drive against Rana.
Remember, this is Shami’s first ICC event match since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. He was included in the playing XI in place of Arshdeep Singh.
India have also decided to play Kuldeep Yadav while Varun Chakaravarthy has been left on the bench.
India vs Bangladesh playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman