NEW DELHI: The ICC World Cup 2015 will eventually be remembered as a batsman’s tournament. The sheer weight of runs accumulated by high-quality players from all nations in this tournament so far has surpassed previous editions.
However, Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz played his part in reaffirming the faith of cricket fans that the contest between bat and ball may not be all that lopsided as it is made out to be.
Riaz, albeit with his brief spell of ferocious fast bowling, produced a lion-hearted display of genuine quick and hostile bowling that made fans and the cricket fraternity stand up and take note in the third quarter-final of the World Cup.
The left-arm pacer peppered Shane Watson with lethal and accurate short-pitched stuff that had him jumping and bobbing on his crease.Though Watson fought it out and guided Australia to victory, verdict was unanimous that Riaz was plain unlucky and deserved a lot from that spell, which will be long remembered by all cricket lovers.
The duo were involved in a heated exchange and despite there being no abuse or obscene gestures, the fast bowler was fined 50 percent of his match fee while Australian all-rounder was penalized 15 percent of his by the ICC after their altercation.
Riaz received praise and encouragement from one and all for his great bowling display. Fans, inside the stadium and from the comforts of their home, thoroughly enjoyed watching the contest between the two.
The entire cricket world was eager to know what Watson made of that period of play. Here is the much-awaited reaction of the man who braved the Riaz storm out in the middle:
One can be relatively sure that Watto has emerged out as a better player after that innings against Pakistan and going in to a high-pressure semi-final against India, he will be full of confidence.