'Beizatti Apni Toh Karani Hai...': Wasim Akram Reacts After Hasan Raza's Ridiculous 'India Using Different Balls' Claim

Wasim Akram has taken exception to suggestions brewing on social media and elsewhere that Indian bowlers are using ‘different balls’ than their counterparts from other teams in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which it’s claimed is the reason why they’ve been able to generate swing and seam.

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It was former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza who invited controversy by claiming in a show that Indian bowlers might be benefiting from using a different ball and that’s why they are able to trouble batters so much compared to their opponents.

Responding to the claims, Akram explained the process of selecting balls for a particular match by teams which happens in the presence of multiple officials.

“I’ve been reading been reading about it from last couple of days. I want to have same things these guys are having, sounds like fun because their mind isn’t there,” Akram said on ARY News.

“Beizatti apni toh karani hai saadi bhi na karao duniya vich (You are embarrassing everyone). It’s a simple thing: An umpire brings with himself a box containing 12 balls. The team bowling first gets to choose two balls – option 1 and option 2. The umpire keeps the balls in each pocket,” Akram said.

“Then the remaining balls are then carried to the dressing room of the batting team by the umpire who is accompanied by a lot of people. The batting team gets to pick their two options as well. Then he hands over the ball to the on-field umpires, all this is happening in the presence of other officials too,” he added.

Indian pacers have been in stunning form in the ongoing competition and they gave an exhibition of seam and swing bowling in their massive win over Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this week.

After India set Sri Lanka a mammoth target of 358 to win, the bowlers ran through their batting line-up to bowl them out for a mere 55 with Mohammed Shami taking a five-wicket haul.