A medium pacer who can use the long handle to decent effect occasionally, Shami Ahmed made his first-class debut in 2010. With 14 wickets in eight domestic Twenty20 matches, including the best figures of 4 for 24, earned Ahmed a lucrative IPL contract with the Kolkats Knight Riders in 2011. Ahmed raised his game in all formats in the 2012 domestic season and was duly rewarded with his maiden India call-up, for the home ODI series against Pakistan, in December.