Mohammed Shami to Play 100th First-Class Match in Duleep Trophy Final

Mohammed Shami is set to make his 100th first-class appearance for East Zone in Sunday's Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, becoming just the sixth Indian bowler to reach the milestone.

The 36-year-old pacer arrives at the landmark with 382 wickets from 99 matches and career-best figures of 8/90, having played a key role in East Zone's run to the final with five wickets across two innings in the semi-final win over defending champions Central Zone. The Cricket Association of Bengal felicitated Shami ahead of the occasion, presenting him with a signed "No. 100 Bengal" jersey and a silver plaque from CAB president Sourav Ganguly, who called it "a fitting reward for the veteran pacer's remarkable longevity."

"Completing 100 First-Class matches is a very special and proud moment for me," Shami wrote on Instagram. "This journey has been filled with hard work, challenges, learning and unforgettable memories." Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with nine scalps, and remains outside the national setup while continuing to play domestic cricket in pursuit of another international recall.

The final runs from September 6 to 10, with East Zone captained by Ishan Kishan and featuring vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among a squad hoping to add the Duleep Trophy to Shami's landmark occasion.