Love for cricket helped me fight off-field problems: Shami

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami says his love for cricket helped him battle the off field problems that pegged him back a few months ago as he made an impressive comeback in the ongoing first Test against England here. On the opening day of the first Test here, Shami took 2-64 to help India restrict England to 285-9.

It was a fine return for the 28-yearold Shami, who was accused of domestic violence and extra-marital affair by his wife some months back. He also sustained injuries after being involved in an accident and later missed the one-off Afghanistan Test for failing the yo-yo fitness test. “[The tour of] South Africa was a long time ago and there have been some off field issues after that. I had to fight a lot in between but my effort

“I wanted to keep doing my job and then see what happens to the rest of the stuff in life. Whatever difficulties I face, first I wanted to play cricket and keep doing it”

was that I have to keep doing what I love most and what is most important to me [cricket],” Shami said.

“I wanted to just keep doing my job and then see what happens to the rest of the stuff in my life. Whatever difficulties I face, first I wanted to play cricket and keep doing it. The result is in front of us.”

Shami, who was India’s highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps in South Africa, said he was satisfied with his and team’s efforts on the field on the opening day. “As a bowling unit and as an individual I am very happy. This is the thing I have worked hard for and we have been able to bring it forward successfully,” he said.