Here we bring in a new, untold, and rare cricket fact: Did you know that Pakistan’s Mohammad Sami bowled the longest over in a cricket match?
Yes, you read that correctly. Mohammad Sami of Pakistan bowled the longest 17-ball over in ODI cricket history. This was a match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Colombo in the Asia Cup in July 2004.
Sami was one of Pakistan’s top fast bowlers the country has produced, and he was super fast, but he also had a horrible day against Bangladesh in the 2004 Asia Cup.
Sami opened the bowling against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, and after a magnificent maiden over, he went on to produce a wild 17-ball over that contained seven wides and four no-balls for 22 runs in total.
Pakistan’s opening bowlers, Shabbir Ahmed and Mohammad Sami, got the ball rolling as usual. But who knew if the over would go down in history as the “Longest Over in an ODI” against this new Pakistani bowling prodigy?
In his first over, Sami dismissed Bangladesh opener Ashraful. Bangladesh’s score after two overs was six runs for one wicket.
Sami began the third over with a wide. Habibul Bashar hit a boundary on the second ball, which was the first legitimate ball. On Sami’s second delivery, Habibul Bashar scored two more runs.
The outrage began from there. Sami bowled a no-ball, followed by a wide. Habibul took a single on the third legitimate ball. Sami bowled another no-ball, followed by two straight wides.
Sami bowled a dot ball, a wide, a no ball, two straight wides, and another no ball before the next ball. Sami finished this over with a four on the final ball. Sami surrendered 22 runs in the longest 17-ball over in ODI history.
Fortunately, this blunder didn’t cost Pakistan much, as they won the match comfortably with 6 wickets to spare while chasing the target of 167 runs.
Mohammad Sami Controversy: Two-Year Ban
Throughout his career, Sami has been involved in a number of disputes. He was banned for two years in 2010 for failing a drug test, although the penalty was eventually reduced to one year on appeal. He has also been involved in several on-field fights, including one with Indian star Gautam Gambhir in 2006.
Despite these controversies, Sami remains a popular person in Pakistan, and his services to the national team are admired.
