Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has hit out at the chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI for not giving fair treatment to Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer was once again not considered for selection for the upcoming Test against Afghanistan. Shami last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy and has been ignored by the selection panel since then.

The right-arm pacer’s participation in the domestic tournament was also not considered.

He was among the top performers and played a key role in Bengal’s semi-final qualification in the Ranji Trophy. Speaking to the media, Agarkar mentioned that Shami was only fit to play in the shortest format. Surprisingly, the committee ignored the fast bowler’s display in India’s premier red-ball competition.

Jaffer didn’t like the explanation given by Agarkar and called it rubbish. He feels the selectors need to be clear whether the seamer is being overlooked.

“The explanation is rubbish. We are talking about Mohammed Shami and it is disrespectful. You know this guy has performed and you end declaring him for T20 cricket. He is giving an excuse. You should give clear statement on his exclusion. Shami single-handedly took Bengal to the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy. He led the bowling attack from the front,” Jaffer said.

In 7 Ranji Trophy matches, he took 37 wickets and claimed 16 wickets and 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, respectively.

Jaffer kept Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in the same bracket when it comes to skills.

“What if Bumrah is not fit and then makes a comeback? Would you treat him in the same fashion? Mohammed Shami is similar to Bumrah. Any international bowler would rank Shami among the top bowlers. It is disrespectful when it comes to unfair treatment given to him,” he concluded.

Shami is playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2026 and has taken 10 wickets from 12 games. He was traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad after an ordinary season in 2025.

For the record, Bumrah has been rested from the one-off Test against Afghanistan and also the three-match ODI series.

The selectors are managing his workload. He is currently playing for the Mumbai Indians in the 19th season of the cash-rich league, but is out of form.

After a hectic and demanding 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the pacer hasn’t looked at his best for the five-time champions.