Shami shines with both bat and ball as Bengal secures spot in Syed Mushtaq Ali quarter-finals

Bengal emerged victorious by a slim margin of 3 runs against Chandigarh in a thrilling encounter. Bengal, batting first, managed to score 159 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Karan top-scored for Bengal with 33 runs, followed closely by Shami who remained unbeaten on 32 runs. Pramanik also contributed with a valuable knock of 30 runs. Jagjit was the pick of the bowlers for Chandigarh, claiming 4 wickets for just 21 runs. Bawa also chipped in with 2 wickets, conceding 27 runs. In response, Chandigarh fell short of the target, reaching 156 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted overs. Bawa was the leading run-scorer for Chandigarh, matching his counterpart with 32 runs. Yadav also made a significant contribution with 27 runs. Ghosh was the standout bowler for Bengal, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs. Seth also picked up 2 wickets, giving away 35 runs. The match proved to be an exciting contest between the two teams, with Bengal ultimately coming out on top.

Bengal are through to the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after prevailing by three runs in a thriller against Chandigarh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The hero was seamer Sayan Ghosh, who picked up 4 for 30 to rip out the cream of Chandigarh's batting in their chase of 157, set up largely by Karan Lal, who top scored with 33, and Writtick Chatterjee, who made a 12-ball 28.

Yet, the unlikely batting hero was Mohammed Shami, who walloped an unbeaten 17-ball 32 from No. 10, his highest score in T20s, to give them some momentum going into the break.

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Chandigarh's blow-hot-blow-cold chase was fuelled by Raj Bawa's 32. Yet it came down to them needing 20 off the last two overs with three wickets in hand. Shami, who had picked up a wicket off his second delivery in his first spell that finished with figures of 3-0-13-1, conceded 12 in his final over upon his return at the death and the equation was brought down to eight off the last six.

Ghosh then bowled two dots and picked up a wicket off the first five deliveries to all but seal the game. With seven needed of one ball, Nishunk Birla hit a boundary as Bengal won by three runs.

Shami has now featured in each of Bengal's eight matches, where he has bowled his full quota of overs in every game, while picking up nine wickets at an economy of 7.49. As of Monday, it's understood Shami will remain with the Bengal squad for the remainder of their campaign.

While in Bengaluru, Shami has been working with the NCA staff as he continues his return to top-flight cricket. He's yet to get an all-clear, however.

On Sunday, India captain Rohit Sharma remained cautious over Shami's availability while insisting the "doors were open" for his return. His caution stems from Shami having developed some swelling in his knees while bowling during the ongoing SMAT competition.

However, the Bengal team management has expressed satisfaction at the way Shami has responded to his bowling workload and intensity all tournament. Shami opted to rest on match-eve, a decision which is believed to have been his own to preserve himself for the duration of the competition.

Bengal next play Baroda in the round of eight on Wednesday.