Picture Credit: X
The high-octane five-match Test series between England and India concluded on Monday, August 4 with Team India securing a close six-run win in the fifth Test to end the series in a 2-2 draw. The two teams entered the final day with England needing only 35 runs, whereas the visitors needed four wickets to come out on top. In a gruelling 57-minute action on the final day, Mohammed Siraj picked three wickets whereas Prasidh Krishna picked one to guide India over the line.
The Oval pitch, which was best wicket in the Test series, as said by several bowlers, saw the ball swing as the pitch weathered out, making batting extremely difficult. With India having an option to take a new ball, they continued with a old one with only two wickets needed.
I think India used Vaseline: Former Pakistan cricketer makes shocking accusation
However, the decision of the Indian bowlers to stick with the old ball paid off, former Pakistan cricketer Shabbir Ahmed Khan has accused the visiting side of ball tampering claims. The former Pakistan fast bowler took to X, making this bold accusation and urged the umpires to send the ball for lab testing.
"I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over Ball still shine like new Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine," he wrote on X. Shabbir is a former right-arm pacer who represented 10 Tests, 32 ODIs and one T20I for Pakistan. During his international career, where he played from 1999 till 2007, he picked 84 international wickets.
Speaking of the final Test, Md Siraj took a five-wicket haul as England were bowled out for 367 on the final morning of the Test series. He picked nine wickets in the fifth Test and finished as the top wicket-taker with 23 scalps in 185.2 over he bowled in the entire tour.
