MOHALI, India: Umar Gul, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, flopped terribly. Shoaib Akhtar was not picked in the playing eleven while Abdul Razzaq, bowling at a gentle pace, was totally unthreatening.
The Greenshirts desperately needed someone to come forward and deliver the goods against India in their high-voltage World Cup semifinal against India. It was Wahab Riaz, who answered their call.
The tall left-armer finished with career-best figures of 5-46 that helped Pakistan to bounce back after India were given a flying start by Virender Sehwag (38). Wahab’s victims included the explosive Indian opener as well as the in-form Yuvraj Singh (0) and Indian captain MS Dhoni (25).
In fact it was Wahab’s double strike off consecutive balls in the 26th over that allowed Pakistan to fight their way back into the match. Wahab, 25, first scalped Virat Kohli (9) and then shattered Yuvraj’s stumps off the very next ball to leave India in trouble at 141-4. It left the packed crowd at PCA Stadium shell-shocked as Pakistan celebrated the prized wicket of Yuvraj, winner of four man-of-the-match awards at this World Cup.
When Wahab had tail-ender Zaheer Khan caught by Kamran Akmal behind the stumps in the final over for his fifth wicket, he dropped to the ground and sealed a kiss on the pitch that he will remember for the rest of his life.
Wahab, who has picked 27 wickets from 17 One-day International appearances, began this World Cup as a part of Pakistan’s second string as Shahid Afridi opted to have Akhtar in the pace attack along with Gul and Razzaq. He featured in Pakistan’s Pool A game against Canada in Colombo but only because Akhtar was rested that day.
But he was finally given a regular slot in the attack after Akhtar fell apart during Pakistan’s 110-run hammering at the hands of New Zealand at Pallekele.
In the lead-up to Wednesday’s semifinal, calls were made from experts for Akhtar’s inclusion. Pundits like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram believed Pakistan needed Akhtar’s experience. Wahab, however, proved on Wednesday that sometimes passion and commitment is all you need to succeed.
Though the Lahore-born Wahab made his ODI debut in 2008, it was in his first Test at The Oval in England last summer that he shot to limelight with match-winning figures of 5-63 in the first innings.
However, a few weeks later Wahab was under suspicion for an alleged role in the spot-fixing saga that involved three of Pakistan’s leading cricketers – Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt. He was questioned by Scotland Yard detectives before being cleared of any wrongdoing.
All those bitter memories became a distant past for the fast bowler as he basked in the glory of his five-wicket haul in front of a houseful at Mohali. Even Shoaib Akhtar, sitting solemnly in the dressing room, was clapping with admiration. Perhaps, he knew that the better man got the opportunity to play the big game.
The tall left-armer finished with career-best figures of 5-46 that helped Pakistan to bounce back after India were given a flying start by Virender Sehwag (38). Wahab’s victims included the explosive Indian opener as well as the in-form Yuvraj Singh (0) and Indian captain MS Dhoni (25).
In fact it was Wahab’s double strike off consecutive balls in the 26th over that allowed Pakistan to fight their way back into the match. Wahab, 25, first scalped Virat Kohli (9) and then shattered Yuvraj’s stumps off the very next ball to leave India in trouble at 141-4. It left the packed crowd at PCA Stadium shell-shocked as Pakistan celebrated the prized wicket of Yuvraj, winner of four man-of-the-match awards at this World Cup.
When Wahab had tail-ender Zaheer Khan caught by Kamran Akmal behind the stumps in the final over for his fifth wicket, he dropped to the ground and sealed a kiss on the pitch that he will remember for the rest of his life.
Wahab, who has picked 27 wickets from 17 One-day International appearances, began this World Cup as a part of Pakistan’s second string as Shahid Afridi opted to have Akhtar in the pace attack along with Gul and Razzaq. He featured in Pakistan’s Pool A game against Canada in Colombo but only because Akhtar was rested that day.
But he was finally given a regular slot in the attack after Akhtar fell apart during Pakistan’s 110-run hammering at the hands of New Zealand at Pallekele.
In the lead-up to Wednesday’s semifinal, calls were made from experts for Akhtar’s inclusion. Pundits like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram believed Pakistan needed Akhtar’s experience. Wahab, however, proved on Wednesday that sometimes passion and commitment is all you need to succeed.
Though the Lahore-born Wahab made his ODI debut in 2008, it was in his first Test at The Oval in England last summer that he shot to limelight with match-winning figures of 5-63 in the first innings.
However, a few weeks later Wahab was under suspicion for an alleged role in the spot-fixing saga that involved three of Pakistan’s leading cricketers – Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt. He was questioned by Scotland Yard detectives before being cleared of any wrongdoing.
All those bitter memories became a distant past for the fast bowler as he basked in the glory of his five-wicket haul in front of a houseful at Mohali. Even Shoaib Akhtar, sitting solemnly in the dressing room, was clapping with admiration. Perhaps, he knew that the better man got the opportunity to play the big game.
No comments:
Post a Comment