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Home » Cricket Home » News » Throwback Saturday: A look at Shane Watson Vs Wahab Riaz Showdown in 2015 World Cup

Throwback Saturday: A look at Shane Watson Vs Wahab Riaz Showdown in 2015 World Cup

Throwback Saturday: A look at Shane Watson Vs Wahab Riaz Showdown in 2015 World Cup

Australia clinched a six wicket win and went on to be crowned World Cup champions.

There are some stories in the game of cricket that remain etched deep in the memories of people for decades. One such incident from the past also had the same impact. Back in 2015, Shane Watson sledged Wahab Riaz during the World Cup. What followed raised many eyebrows as the chapter became a tall standing memory for not just the two players, but millions of lovers of the game. Spectators on the ground and television viewers across the borders found themselves absorbed in the uncompromising contest.

The Watson vs Wahab showdown was an iconic duel every cricket fan could’ve asked for. From the first ball itself, the Pakistani left-arm seamer turned up the heat so high that each delivery evoked a heavy sigh and thumping heartbeat in every single personaround the world watching the game. In his allotted bowling spell, Wahab got rewarded with early and crucial wickets of David Warner and Michael Clarke. However, what Wahab wanted was to see the back of Watson because of what the latter did to him in the previous innings.

Wahab knew that the Aussie veteran wasn’t great on short ball so he went at him with that plan. It was an intense over, as Wahab’s aggressive deliveries left Watson needing help of each muscle in his body. At one point, Wahab ran to the batsman clapping his hands in his face, screaming “come on!” at the fielders but louder in front of Watson. Steve Smith, who was at the other end, quickly got off strike but Watson did not have the luxury, although he might have wanted it more badly.

Wahabwas fined 50 per cent of his match fees, while Watson had been fined 15 per cent of his match fees by the match referee.

Fast forward, six years later, Watson who has retired from all forms of cricket, has thanked Wahab for going easy on him in the 2015 WC. Reminiscing about their fiery battle, he wrote,“One of the more colourful moments in my career. Thank you @WahabViki for going easy on me.”

Australia clinched a six wicket win and went on to be crowned World Cup champions.

Team Rankings

RankTeamPointsRating
1 India 2914 121
2 New Zealand 2166 120
3 England 3493 109
4 Australia 1844 108
5 Pakistan 2247 94
FULL Ranking
RankTeamPointsRating
1 New Zealand 2054 121
2 Australia 2945 118
3 India 3344 115
4 England 3100 115
5 South Africa 2137 107
FULL Ranking
RankTeamPointsRating
1 England 6088 277
2 India 6811 272
3 New Zealand 6048 263
4 Pakistan 7818 261
5 Australia 5930 258
FULL Ranking

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