“If I wanted to pray, who could stop me,” Mohammed Shami expresses strong criticism towards fans for creating SAJDAH controversy in 2023 World Cup

He expressed his frustration toward those people whose task is to create a ruckus, saying he guessed such people have no work to do, which is why they indulge in creating controversies and misinterpreting things.

“If I wanted to pray, who could stop me,” Mohammed Shami expresses strong criticism towards fans for creating SAJDAH controversy in 2023 World Cup

Mohammed Shami (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Most of the fans from Pakistan and India are divided over whether a cricketer should celebrate achievements by offering prayers. For the same reason, Mohammad Rizwan has to face the heat of some sections of netizens because he always prays after scoring his century.

Mohammed Shami also found himself surrounded by this controversy when he knelt after grabbing his fifer against Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He touched the ground with both hands and that’s all. His action became a talking point in the town, with some fans believing that he had stopped doing the ‘Sajdah’, fearing the backlash.

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During an interview with Agenda Aaj Tak, Shami shed light on the controversy, and while doing so, he criticized those internet trolls. He said there’s no harm in offering prayer to one’s God if one wants to do it.

If I wanted to pray, who could stop me? I won't stop anyone from praying. If I want to pray, I will pray. What's the problem with this? I will say with pride that I am a Muslim. I will say with pride that I am an Indian. What's the problem with that? If I have to ask permission to pray from someone, then why should I be in this country?
Shami said on Aaj Tak

Mohammed Shami reveals why he knelt on the ground

Mohammed Shami then pointed out that he has taken many fifers but has never prayed after taking five-wicket hauls before. He further criticized the trolls by saying if someone asks him to pray somewhere, he will go and pray.

Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami during World Cup match against Australia in the final (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Shami did not stop there. He expressed his frustration toward those people whose task is to create a ruckus, saying he guessed such people have no work to do, which is why they indulge in creating controversies and misinterpreting things.

The paceman from Uttar Pradesh then revealed the reason why he knelt on the ground after picking up his fifer. He said he was getting tired of not getting a wicket despite bowling to his fullest potential; that when he finally bagged his fifer, he “sank to the ground and kneeled“.

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