There's Bad News for Mohammed Shami & It's NOT Related to Him Being Left Out of England Tests
Mohammed Shami’s dreams of making a Test comeback went up in smoke, at least temporarily, when he was not picked for the tour of England. Fitness concerns and his ability to bowl long spells in the red-ball format led to him not being picked. His international comeback was towards the start of the year and he did help India win the Champions Trophy. This was after not playing due to injury since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
But now there is more bad news for Shami and it is not linked to him being left out of the England Tests. In fact, it is not related to his fitness or his cricket career at all. This is linked to his life off the field. It is also proving to be costly at a financial level.
One can call this a legal setback for the star pacer. Why so? The Calcutta High Court has ordered the 34-year-old to pay a monthly alimony of Rs. 4 lakh to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan and daughter. The judgement was issued by Justice Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee and it ordered Shami to pay Rs 1.5 lakh per month for Jahan's expenses and Rs 2.5 lakh for the care of their daughter.
The judgement came after Jahan appealed against a 2018 order by the Alipore Court in Kolkata. This order stated that Shami had to pay Rs. 50,000 per month and an additional Rs. 80,000 for their daughter. Jahan initially wanted Rs. 10 lakh out of which Rs. 7 lakh for herself and Rs. 3 lakh was for her daughter. However, the lower court dismissed her request.
Jahan’s lawyer argued that Shami was financially well off to give a higher alimony. As per Shami’s 2021 income tax return in 2021, his monthly income was Rs. 60 lakh and Jahan claimed that her needs including those of her daughter went above Rs. 6 lakh.
“In my considered opinion, a sum of Rs 1,50,000 per month to the petitioner no.1 (wife) and Rs 2,50,000 to her daughter would be just, fair and reasonable to ensure financial stability for both petitioners,” the High Court stated in its ruling.
The couple tied the knot in 2014 and had a daughter in 2015. In 2018 they separated after Jahan accused Shami of domestic violence, dowry harassment and match-fixing. They have been living apart ever since.
Shami turns 35 this year and it is not clear how long he will be playing with his fitness issues. While his return to the side remains uncertain, such hurdles off the field are not making it any easier for the fast bowler.