Appreciate The Love But It's Mixed With Pain - Wahab Riaz Recalls 2015 World Cup Duel With Shane Watson

Pakistan pace bowler Wahab Riaz revealed that the battle with former Australian batter, Shane Watson, was quite incredible but he expressed disappointment that he wasn’t able to win the match for his side.

Wahab was breathing fire in an unbelievable spell during the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup that was held in Australia, New Zealand. Watson had just walked in after the fall of Michael Clarke and had to face the thunderbolts from Wahab.

A flurry of bouncers was delivered to Watson, leaving the Aussie completely rattled. Watson would have been dismissed by Wahab himself if not for a tame dropped catch by a man at fine leg. Watson survived the spell and went on to win the match for his team, resulting in heartbreak for Wahab and co.

“While I appreciate all the love I get for this spell against Australia, it’s mixed with pain that my spell did not result in Pakistan winning the match. Sigh,” Riaz tweeted.

While I appreciate all the love I get for this spell against Australlia, it’s mixed with pain that my spell did not result in Pakistan winning the match. Sigh https://t.co/1UpbVR4zZD

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) March 20, 2022

What Shane Watson said about the stunning battle with Wahab Riaz

Earlier, Watson also described the battle which defined the match, stating that he initially underestimated how fast Wahab can actually bowl. Normally, Wahab hits the 140kmph mark quite comfortably but a bit more zip and energy on the field saw him consistently go above 145.

“Wahab Riaz went absolutely crazy, bouncing the living daylights out of me, he bowled super accurate and he kept bouncing me. It was very silly and naive of me that I didn’t realise that Wahab Riaz could bowl that fast. I said something to him – because he kept playing and missing Mitchell Starc – so I ran past him and said, ‘Have you got a hole in your bat? Because you just keep missing the ball.’“

“And again, I didn’t realise he could bowl that fast so once I got out there, I got absolutely peppered. I look back at that moment, that was a very special ‘moment to be part of, even though it was super uncomfortable. He got on top of me, I got dropped at fine leg, but yeah, worked out really well in the end,” Watson said.

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