Mohammed Shami has been included in the 22-member Bengal squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25, marking a significant step in his return to competitive cricket after a lengthy injury layoff.
The tournament is set to kick off on November 23, 2024, with Bengal facing the defending champions Punjab in their opening match in Rajkot.
Shami’s Comeback Journey
Mohammed Shami inclusion comes after he recently made his return to the field during the Ranji Trophy, where he showcased his skills by taking seven wickets in a match against Madhya Pradesh.
This performance included a notable contribution with the bat, where he scored 37 runs off 36 balls, helping Bengal secure a thrilling win.
His bowling figures of 7/156 across two innings highlighted his potential and readiness to compete at a high level again.
The 34-year-old fast bowler had been sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury, which required surgery and kept him out of action for nearly a year.
His return to form is crucial not only for Bengal but also for the Indian national team, as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
Bengal Squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
Sudip Gharami (c), Mohammed Shami, Abishek Porel, Sudip Chatterjee, Shahbaz Ahmed, Karan Lal, Writtik Chatterjee, Ritwick Roy Chowdhury, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Ranjot Singh Khaira, Prayas Ray Burman, Agniv Pan, Pradipta Pramanik, Saksham Chaudhary, Ishan Porel, Mohammed Kaif, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Shayan Ghosh, Kanishk Seth, Soummyadeep Mandal.
Bengal Schedule for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
| Date | Match Details | Time (Local) |
| Nov 23, Sat | Bengal vs Punjab, Group A | 01:30 PM |
| Nov 25, Mon | Bengal vs Hyderabad, Group A | 01:30 PM |
| Nov 27, Wed | Bengal vs Mizoram, Group A | 09:00 AM |
| Nov 29, Fri | Bengal vs Madhya Pradesh, Group A | 01:30 PM |
| Dec 01, Sun | Bengal vs Meghalaya, Group A | 09:00 AM |
| Dec 03, Tue | Bengal vs Bihar, Group A | 09:00 AM |
| Dec 05, Thu | Bengal vs Rajasthan, Group A | 09:00 AM |
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy provides Shami with an opportunity to further demonstrate his fitness and form ahead of potential selection for the Indian team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Also Read: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Lead UP for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
