Shabbir Ahmed Accuses India Of Ball Tampering At The Oval

The cricketing world has been shaken by a fresh controversy after former Pakistan fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed made serious allegations against the Indian cricket team. The claims came after India’s thrilling six-run win against England in the fifth and final Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval.

The match, which ended in nail-biting fashion, saw India level the five-match series 2–2. But instead of the focus remaining on India’s remarkable fightback, attention has now turned to Ahmed’s accusation of possible ball tampering.

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The Allegation by Shabbir Ahmed

Shabbir Ahmed took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his doubts about the condition of the cricket ball India used on Days 4 and 5 of the match. He suggested that something was not right with the ball, saying it still shone like new even after more than 80 overs of play.

In his post, Ahmed wrote: “I think India used Vaseline. After 80+ overs, the ball still shone like new. Umpires should send it to a lab for testing.”

His comments were a clear indication that he suspected the Indian bowlers had artificially maintained the ball’s condition to get more swing, which is against the rules of cricket.

Why Ball Condition Matters in Test Cricket

In cricket, the condition of the ball plays a huge role in how it behaves. A ball that is newer tends to swing more, helping fast bowlers trouble batters. As the ball gets older, it loses its shine and becomes easier for batters to play.

International cricket rules allow players to shine the ball using only sweat or saliva (although saliva use has been banned after COVID-19). Any use of foreign substances, like Vaseline or wax, is considered ball tampering and is illegal.

If a ball remains in excellent condition even after long use, it can raise questions — especially if it continues to swing late in the game, as was the case in The Oval Test.

The Match Situation

The fifth Test match was already one for the history books. England, chasing a huge target of 374 runs in their second innings, looked well on their way to victory. With Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease, England reached 301/3. At that stage, they needed just 73 runs with seven wickets in hand — a very comfortable position for any team.

But cricket can change in a blink. Indian fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna launched a fierce fightback. The ball began swinging dangerously, and England’s middle and lower order collapsed. Within a short time, England went from 301/3 to being bowled out for 367 runs — just six runs short of the target.

The Role of the Old Ball in India’s Win

One of the talking points of the match was India’s decision not to take a new ball after the 80th over, which is when teams are given the option in Test cricket. Instead, India chose to keep using the old ball, which continued to move sharply through the air.

Normally, an old ball would lose its swing and be less threatening. But in this match, it behaved almost like a new one — making it very difficult for England’s batters to survive. This is exactly what led Shabbir Ahmed to question whether the ball’s condition was natural.

The Pitch and Match Conditions

The Oval pitch was described by many cricket experts as the most balanced surface of the entire series. It offered something for both batters and bowlers — pace and bounce for fast bowlers, but also value for stroke play for batters.

For the first four days, the pitch had not shown excessive movement. However, during the final session of Day 4 and throughout Day 5, the ball started swinging significantly, making batting much harder.

No Official Complaint Yet

At this stage, no official complaint has been made to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Neither the ICC nor the match umpires have issued any public statement regarding Ahmed’s claims.

In cricket history, ball tampering has led to severe punishments, including fines, suspensions, and even match bans. But for any action to be taken, there needs to be solid evidence — such as video footage or physical examination of the ball.

Online Reactions

Ahmed’s allegations have triggered a wave of debate online. Some fans and former players supported his call for a forensic test of the ball, saying that transparency is important to maintain cricket’s fairness.

Others dismissed his comments, suggesting they were made out of frustration or bias, especially since the match involved India and not Pakistan. Many Indian fans defended their team, calling the accusations baseless and pointing out that skilled bowlers can make even an old ball swing with the right techniques.

India’s Victory Celebrations Overshadowed

While Indian captain Rohit Sharma and the team celebrated their dramatic win, the discussion about ball tampering has partly overshadowed their achievement. Indian opener Shubman Gill praised the team’s never-give-up attitude, saying: “We never give up. That’s what makes this team special.”

However, the headlines in many cricket circles have now been dominated by the ball-tampering allegations rather than the cricketing brilliance shown in the final stages of the match.

Why the ICC’s Role is Important

The International Cricket Council is the body responsible for enforcing the rules of the game. If any formal complaint is made, the ICC can investigate by reviewing match footage, interviewing officials, and — if possible — testing the ball itself.

If the ball has been tampered with using a foreign substance, it can be detected under lab conditions. However, once the match is over and the ball is no longer in official custody, proving such an allegation becomes much harder.

A Look at Past Ball-Tampering Controversies

This is not the first time that ball tampering has made headlines in cricket:

• 1981: England’s John Lever was accused of using Vaseline on the ball during a match in India.

• 1994: Pakistan’s Waqar Younis became the first player to be suspended for ball tampering.

• 2018: The infamous “Sandpapergate” scandal saw Australian players Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft banned for using sandpaper on the ball in South Africa.

Given this history, Ahmed’s comments have struck a chord with many who believe that even top teams may be tempted to bend the rules in high-pressure games.

What Happens Next

Unless someone lodges an official complaint, this matter may not go beyond heated discussions on social media. However, the ICC could, in theory, review the matter if it believes there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation.

For now, the cricketing focus will shift to upcoming matches, but the shadow of this controversy may linger — especially if more players or officials speak out.

India’s six-run win at The Oval will be remembered as one of the closest finishes in recent Test history. But the celebrations have been clouded by Shabbir Ahmed’s serious accusation of ball tampering. While no proof has yet been presented, the debate it has sparked shows how sensitive the cricketing community is about the spirit of the game.

Whether this remains just an online argument or develops into a formal investigation will depend on the actions of cricket’s governing bodies. Until then, fans and experts will continue to discuss whether the old ball that destroyed England’s hopes was simply the result of skill — or something more controversial.

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