Published: Jun 28, 2015, 06:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 28, 2015, 06:26 PM (IST)
One usually celebrates their birthday by hanging out with their dear ones. If one is a cricketer, they would wish to perform and make it an even more special one. People get “birthday bumps;” Wahab Riaz got them too. Nikhil Popat takes you through the birthday celebrations of the pacer from Pakistan. Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 4 at Colombo
Riaz is a fighter; he showed the world what he can do when he bowled a nasty spell to Shane Watson in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. It took some time for Watson to come out of it, and all those who watched that spell have it etched in their memories. He fought again on his birthday, June 28, 2015. Pakistan had won the first Test against Sri Lanka, but were down in the second, after getting bowled out for 138 in the first innings. Not letting the hosts that away, they kept themselves in the game. UPDATES: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 4 at Colombo
In the first innings, Riaz was hit on his hand in the first innings and had suffered a hairline fracture. But that did not stop him from coming out to bat to help his team and the other bowlers some more runs to try and win the game. He came out to bat when Junaid Khan flashed at a wide one and was caught behind. Azhar Ali had scored a valiant 117 but not enough to get them past the line. It would have been easier for Riaz to come in and just give his wicket away but he did not do that, he is a fighter and he showed it once again. READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test, Day 4 play abandoned due to rain
His first ball was from Dusmantha Chameera; it was short and rose up on Riaz, who took it with the bounce and dabbed it away. Next ball, he looked to clip one off his hips, but got a leading edge towards cover. But he did not give up. Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, got up from the dressing room and signalled Riaz to keep fighting. Riaz got off the mark with a fine dab to third man for a single. Pakistan 324 for 9, just ahead by 147 runs. Chameera ended the over with a bouncer to Zulfiqar Babar to keep Riaz on strike for Prasad. READ: Dhammika Prasad helps Sri Lanka restrict Pakistan to 329 on Day 4 of 2nd Test at Colombo
Dhammika Prasad came on; he already had four for 87, and was by far the best bowler for Sri Lanka on the day. Prasad trapped Riaz on the pad first ball. Prasad wanted the review, Mathews wanted a wicket but it was not going to be gifted as Riaz was ready to fight it out. He dug out the next yorker, wincing in pain. Riaz was batting one-handed, he could not hold the bat that well, but he fought. A full toss next ball was pushed to cover. Prasad went for the glory ball, down the leg side; Riaz watched it like a hawk and clipped it fine down to fine leg. Pakistan needed runs, and Riaz was ready to it to give them. He wouldn’t be able to take wickets for them after all. READ: Wahab Riaz ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series due to hairline fracture
Length ball up next, and Riaz defended it to the on side and maintained his balance trying to not let the pain distract him. A full yorker was delivered to finish the over from Prasad, and Riaz watched it all the way and clipped to fine leg with one hand for a single. He did not back away from taking strike and was happy to face the music. READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd Test Day 3, Highlights
Sri Lanka were desperate for the wicket. Chameera bowled a quick one outside off, Riaz played and missed. He shook his head, but he fought on. The next ball was a quick one on the stumps, Riaz looked to clip but failed to connect, the players appealed and the umpire ruled it out. Riaz called for a review straight away. He was in pain but he did not forget the basics. He preferred to be beaten black and blue rather than giving it away.
“Wahab Riaz is in pain but he wants to fight,” said Rameez Raja on air. On a day when he could have been easily excused for not coming out to bat, he not only batted, but fought as much as he could. Pakistan may still go on to lose the Test, as the hosts needed just 153 runs to win but Pakistan have found a hero and a fighter in Wahab Riaz. READ: Yasir Shah achieves new milestone during SL-PAK 2nd Test at Colombo
(Nikhil Popat is a diehard cricket enthusiast and a PotterHead till the end of time. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)
