Aakash Chopra calls out Inzamam-ul-Haq over reverse swing accusations in T20 World Cup 2024

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Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has challenged former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to acknowledge that Pakistan's bowlers used to manipulate the ball illegitimately to achieve reverse swing.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra urged Inzamam to reveal the alleged methods used by Pakistani bowlers to achieve reverse swing, following Inzamam's call for increased umpire vigilance.

"Inzamam-ul-Haq sir actually said that the ball was reverse swinging and that it should be checked. The ball was reverse-swinging in day games. It was happening for everyone, not only for us, because the matches were being played on extremely dry surfaces," Chopra said.

"However, he asked how Arshdeep was swinging the ball more, it shouldn't happen, and the umpire should check it. Rohit Sharma replied that people should open their minds and he felt bad about that as well. He said that they shouldn't be taught as they had started reverse swing. Tell the truth that people used to prepare the ball," he added.

Chopra further elaborated on Inzamam's skepticism towards Arshdeep's ability to reverse swing the ball more effectively, suggesting that such proficiency was suspicious. 

He quoted Rohit Sharma's response to Inzamam, emphasizing the need for an open-minded approach and highlighting that reverse swing was a phenomenon that has been around for subcontinental teams.

"Just think, did you dig your own grave? I feel you have done that because you said the umpires should be vigilant because something was being done to the ball, and it was being prepared, that it was being scratched on one side, or being shined using illegitimate means," he said.

"That's what you are trying to say because why else would the umpires need to keep their eyes on the ball? So you are admitting that when your good bowlers used to do it, the ball was being prepared, and to do that you would either be scratching the ball, applying something, or doing something else that escaped the umpire's eyes," he concluded.

Previously, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq raised concerns over Arshdeep Singh's ability to reverse swing the ball as early as the 15th over in India's win over Australia in their final Super 8 Group 1 fixture.

While speaking on a local talk show, the former Pakistan chief selector suggested that the umpires should be vigilant about such occurrences.

“Arshdeep Singh when he was bowling the 15th over, the ball was reversing. is it too early (for reverse swing) with the new ball? This means the ball was ready for reverse swing by the 12th or the 13th over; umpires should keep their eyes open (to spot) these things,” Inzamam had said.