Wahab Riaz, Shane Watson show mutual respect post Pakistan vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final clash
Though the encounter was a tense one on the field, it was good to see both men acknowledging each other's efforts after the match.
Wahab Riaz (left) was taunted by Shane Watson when the former was batting; Wahab ensured Watson regretted that when it was the latter's turn to bat © Getty Images
Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson might have been involved in one of the greatest on-field battles in recent memory during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final between Australia and Pakistan. Wahab had been taunted by Watson when the former was batting. When it was Watson's turn to bat, Wahab ensured that he paid for his taunts by bowling a tremendous spell of hostile pace. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Wahab was in Watson's face from Ball One, bowling short and fast at Watson and frequently going up to the batsman to have a few words with him. Wahab also applauded Watson for every miss, and at one point exaggeratedly applauded his teammates inches from Watson's face. It was a move of calculated aggression that was meant to unsettle the batsman. It worked, with Watson offering a simple chance to Rahat Ali at fine leg only for the fielder to spill the chance. Had Australia lost a wicket then the match could have had a different outcome. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
It was a good battle on the feild. U played well. @ShaneRWatson33 . Wishing u best of luck for the semi's . #Respect
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) March 22, 2015
After the game though, the hostilities between the two men came to an abrupt end. Watson was quick to praise Wahab, tweeting: "Special spell from @WahabViki the other night. Very lucky to have come out unscathed #Nohardfeelings #Respect (sic)." Wahab in turn responded, tweeting back to Watson saying: "It was a good battle on the feild. U played well. @ShaneRWatson33 . Wishing u best of luck for the semi's . #Respect (sic)." Though the encounter was a tense one on the field, it was good to see both men acknowledging each other's efforts after the match. One feels the "spirit of cricket" truly came through in this match. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
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