The current form of Mohammed Shami — with the bat too — should be giving Bengal ample confidence going into Wednesday’s Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy quarter-final clash against Baroda in Bengaluru.

The senior pacer’s unbeaten 17-ball 32 and economical bowling of 1/25 in four overs were crucial to Bengal’s thrilling three-run win over Chandigarh in Monday’s pre-quarterfinal game.

On Wednesday, Bengal will lock horns against a stronger Baroda side that features India’s T20 star Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal, the captain of the team.

For sure the task will be tougher for Bengal’s bowling group. However, barring the loss to Madhya Pradesh (MP) in the group stage of the tournament, the bowlers have been getting it right in the critical moments.

Besides, Shami’s presence has been a boost to the entire team and for the bowling group in particular, his experience will again be of huge help in Wednesday’s encounter.

That said, a little bit of swelling was noticed on Shami’s right knee on Tuesday, the eve of the quarter-final game.

According to the Bengal camp, that doesn’t bring in any kind of uncertainty, though, over Shami’s participation in the Baroda clash. But for the 34-year-old, that may go on to affect his chances of joining the India squad for the fourth and fifth Tests Down Under.

After bowling 43.2 overs in his comeback game against MP in the Ranji Trophy, Shami has featured in all eight Syed Mushtaq Ali matches so far and also bowled his full quota of overs in them. It would be fair to say that’s one kind of workload, especially for a bowler in his 30s returning to competitive cricket after a year.

Bengal, however, may ring in two changes in the XI. Pacer all-rounder Saksham Choudhary is likely to replace Agniv Pan, while Ritwik Roy Choudhury could come in place of Shakir Habib Gandhi.