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I could execute my plans because Bumrah left me 16 to defend in last over, says Shami

Update: 2019-06-24 23:57 IST
India’s Mohammed Shami (center) celebrates with captain Virat Kohli (right) and Yuzvendra Chahal after dismissing Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi during the World Cup match at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, England on Saturday

Southampton (PTI): Jasprit Bumrah's economical 49th over helped me to execute my plans in the final six balls of the innings, said India pacer Mohammad Shami after he became India's second cricketer to take a hat-trick in the World Cup.

Drafted into the playing XI following a hamstring injury to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami returned with a four-wicket haul, which included a hattrick in the last over.

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With Afghanistan needing 21 runs in 12 balls, Bumrah had conceded just five runs in the 49th over, leaving Shami with 16 runs to defend. "I trusted you (Bumrah) that you won't give away a lot (in the 49th over). From inside, I believed 16 runs was enough for me. So, I got the opportunity to execute my plans," Shami told BCCI.tv.

"If it had been anything less than that, then I would have found it difficult to execute plans."

Chetan Sharma was the first Indian to take a hattrick in World Cup when he achieved the feat in the 1987 edition. "It is a very good feeling. Taking a hattrick is a big thing and doing it at World Cup stage is even better. There were 16 runs to defend in the final over. I thought it was enough for me. Afghanistan needed 21-22 (21) from the last 2 overs," Shami said.

It was a slow wicket at the Ageas Bowl and Shami said he enjoyed bowling along with Bumrah at the pitch. "My ball was seaming, so we made a good start. We gave away a bit of runs in the middle overs. But I had the belief we would pull things back in the last 10 overs," Shami said.

'It's not IPL so pressure to perform will be different for WI batsmen':

They have the license to thrill in cash-rich T20 leagues but the hard-hitting West Indies batsmen will feel "situational pressure" in their World Cup game against India, feels leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. West Indies are all but out of semi-final contention having lost four out of their six games and Andre Russell's pull out due to a knee injury will certainly compound their problems.

Chahal, who has had a good World Cup so far with 7 wickets from 4 games at a decent economy rate of 5.45, will be ready to ask questions along with wrist spin partner Kuldeep Yadav, who has given less than five runs per over.

The wiry leg-spinner is certain that the Caribbean batsmen will be under severe pressure as they are desperate for a win. "Playing for your country is very different from playing IPL. The pressure to win games is as much on them as it is on us. Look they are desperate to win. They are also trying to get some form back. So the conditions will be different and so will be the situation," Chahal had a word of caution for the opposition. The Afghanistan game has been like a reassurance for the bowling unit that it can deliver even when the margins are lesser due to a low total.  

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