Marking his return to ICC events in style

"For certain players, it's just about getting back to playing. The numbers will come." Rohit Sharma's words on match eve proved to be prophetic. Mohammed Shami, India's slayer-in-chief at ICC events marked his return to big-ticket cricket in some style with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh making him the highest wicket-taker for India in ICC ODI events.

- Rasesh Mandani

DUBAI:

We know Shami loves the big stage. His numbers keep getting better. With Thursday's efforts, five of his six five-fers have come in an ICC event. This was no ordinary comeback for the Amroha fast bowler. For 14 long months, Shami had to endure the pain of surgical injections, experienced the endless wait for his swelled ankle to return to shape, for strapping to come off his injured knee. The pacer from Bengal has gone under the knife before. Rarely are fast bowlers living a pain-free existence. But it gets tougher in your mid-30's.

"I always wondered when I would be able to put my feet on the ground again, as someone who is used to running on the field constantly was now in crutches," Shami told ICC.tv. "A lot of thoughts used to run through my mind. Will I be able to do it again? Will I be able to walk without a limp? For the first two months, I often doubted whether I would be able to play again."