(Cricket News) The country’s cricket board (BCCI), which has recommended pacer Mohammed Shami for this year’s Arjuna Award, said on Wednesday. The 33-year-old had an incredible run in the ODI World Cup, where India finished second best after losing to Australia in the final.
According to ministry sources, the BCCI made a special request to the Sports Ministry to include Shami’s name, as he was not originally included in the list of the nation’s second-highest sporting honour.
With 24 wickets in just seven matches, Shami led all World Cup wicket-takers. Having missed the first four matches, Shami looked impressive when given the chance, taking 24 wickets at an average of just 5.26.
Shami will probably be involved in India’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, which begins on December 26 in Centurion on Boxing Day and ends on January 3 in Cape Town.
In order to select this year’s sports awards, which include the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and the Arjuna Award, among others, the ministry has formed a 12-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice AM Khanwilkar.
The committee also includes six former international athletes: Dhanraj Pillay, a hockey player; Kamlesh Mehta, a former paddler; Akhil Kumar, a former boxer; Shuma Shirur, a women’s shooter and current national coach; Anjum Chopra, a former cricketer; Tripti Murgunde, a badminton player; and Farman Pasha, a powerlifter.
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