The climax of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval was a spectacle of resilience and skill, as Team India defied the odds to secure a thrilling six-run victory over England. This hard-fought win, which leveled the series at 2-2, was orchestrated by an incredible bowling display on the final day, where India’s pacers made an old ball talk. However, the celebration was swiftly followed by a surprising and baseless controversy initiated by former Pakistan pacer Shabbir Ahmed. His unfounded allegations of ball-tampering, made on a public platform, cast a shadow over what was otherwise a masterful cricketing performance and drew sharp criticism from fans and experts.
The unfounded accusation by former Pakistan pacer following India’s historic victory at The Oval
Team India’s miraculous win in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, where they defended a 374-run target, was a testament to their unwavering spirit. The match seemed to be slipping away from them on Day 4, with England cruising at 301/3, courtesy of centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook. However, the tables turned dramatically when India’s pace attack managed to extract extraordinary swing and movement from a ball that was over 80 overs old.
It was this remarkable, and ultimately match-winning, bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna that drew the ire of former Pakistan pacer Shabbir. Ahmed took to X to make a serious and unsubstantiated claim, suggesting the Indian team had illegally altered the condition of the ball. “I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over Ball still shine like new Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine,” he wrote, openly accusing the victorious side of foul play and attempting to delegitimize their hard-earned win. His post, driven by an inability to accept the sheer brilliance of the Indian bowlers, quickly went viral and was met with widespread condemnation from fans.
I think
India used Vaseline
After 80 + over
Ball still shine like new
Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine— Shabbir Ahmed Khan (@ShabbirTestCric) August 4, 2025
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Here’s how fans reacted:
Damn is this that shabbir ahmed who played for Pakistan? Thought it was some troll. https://t.co/MsNzjuqrOD
— Kartik (@elitecynic) August 6, 2025
Okay pic.twitter.com/s6ASSwQ08f
— Ashwini Roopesh (@AshwiniRoopesh) August 6, 2025
Aren’t you the same chap who got banned by the ICC for a suspect bowling action. Before casting aspersions on India look at your own history of being a cheat & getting caught at the international level.
— Sab Changa Si (सरफरोशी की तमन्ना अब दिल में है) (@philpjg) August 6, 2025
A Pakistani always thinks with a fixer mindset because his players used to rub the ball with their teeth to prepare it for swing, which would happen in the last overs.pic.twitter.com/dUMu2RU1jS https://t.co/sMWsdy4Jid
— Saurabh (@MR_CricAnalyst) August 7, 2025
Please send this Pakistani lunatic to the mental asylum to get examined.
— Levi Nagawkar (@Levi_Nagawkar) August 6, 2025
Only a bowler who was banned for illegal action and does not have a experience of more than 10 test can imagine about applying vaseline, hair gel, coconut oil, etc., to a cricket ball… Pls try a better imagination to get online attention..
— Vinish Vijayan (@iyumvinish) August 6, 2025
Send Shabbir Ahmed to physcartist for mental check up… Let Pakistani cricketers to study cricket rather playing blindfolded…
— Jaffar Khan (@JaffarK2369) August 6, 2025
I don’t know why all these joker pakistani excricketers have always been so jealous of India’s success.whenever india does good they come up with a new conspiracy theory.that’s why i always say pcb need to groom their cricketers while playing.most of them are behaving like jahils https://t.co/F46hRCGfCn
— Debasish Singh (@cricdebasish) August 6, 2025
I must say Shabbir bhai you are very intelligent before this tweat no body knew https://t.co/s3kBnwwVOS Five repost & thirty odd replies some people started knowing you https://t.co/jjbVcfzm7w
— Deepak garg (@AapKaDeepakGarg) August 6, 2025
No one knows more about Vaseline, ball tampering, and moisturiser on the pitch than you guys
— Hritik Bali (@hritik_bali) August 7, 2025
Shabbir Ahmed’s controversial career and the ironic twist
The former Pakistan fast bowler’s accusations against the Indian cricket team were particularly ironic given his own controversial history with the sport’s regulations. Shabbir, who played a total of 10 Tests and 32 ODIs for Pakistan, was himself at the center of a major controversy during his career. In a well-documented incident, he was suspended from international cricket for a full year after his bowling action was officially deemed illegal, making him the first bowler in history to be handed a 12-month ban for such an offense. Beyond his international career, Ahmed also played a significant role in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL), representing the Chennai Superstars. During his time there, he delivered a memorable performance in the inaugural ICL final, where he took a hat-trick to help his team secure the championship title, further solidifying his complex and often contradictory place in cricketing history.
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