Mohammed Shami picks 3 wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 pre-quarter-final to strengthen comeback hopes [Watch]

India pacer Mohammed Shami is plying his trade for Bengal in the ongoing 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the pre-quarter-final match against Haryana on Thursday (January 9), Shami picked up three wickets with the ball.

Bengal bowled first and Mohammed Shami returned with figures of 3/61 from ten overs. He accounted for the wickets of opener Himanshu Rana, wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana, and bowler Anshul Kamboj.

While it may not be the best of performances considering his economy rate, Shami bowling his full quota of ten overs and picking up three wickets is still a positive sign. There have been concerns regarding his fitness and injuries. The pacer also missed out on the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2025-25 series in Australia.

Mohammed Shami's performance strengthens his hopes of coming back to the national side. The pacer will have his eyes set on the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy that follows.

As Shami missed the Australia series, there are questions about his fitness and inclusion for the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy. While he did bowl his full quote of ten overs and picked up three wickets as well, his fitness is something that will still be under strict observation.

Watch the clip here:

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Mohammed Shami last featured for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup

Mohammed Shami last appeared for India during the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. He ended the tournament as the highest wicket-taker and put up an exceptional display despite India's loss in the final.

However, the pacer sustained an injury during the tournament and has not played international cricket since. After being out for a considerable period, Shami made a comeback in domestic cricket, participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.

Despite playing in the tournament, he was not completely fit and was not a part of the Test team in Australia as well. With the squads for the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy to be picked, the management will need a green signal from the BCCI medical team to pick Shami.