http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wahab-Riaz-c95839 says he could not sleep for three days before ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final against India
Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz has said that he could not sleep for three days before their ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final against archrivals India in order to devise a plan to counter the mighty batting line-up of the Men in Blue.
The left-arm pacer put up a remarkable bowling performance as he gave his career-best figures of 5 wickets for 46 runs in the match.
“I was planning how and where to bowl to each particular batsman. The planning and the confidence shown in me by the team-management was the key to my success in the all-important game,” said Wahab.
In a losing cause, he dismissed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zaheer-Khan-c98451 restricting India to 260.
Wahab, who became the star of Pakistan team in the semi-final, was included in the ICC World Cup 2011 squad in place of pacers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Amir-c76675, who were banned by the International Cricket Council just before the start of the quadrennial
event for their involvement in spot-fixing.
Wahab said that defeat against the archrivals was a big disappointment but no one ever imagined that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 will reach the semi-final. While talking about the flaws of their team’s performance against India, he said that his side could not get many partnerships
going which were crucial in their run chase.
However, Wahab lauded the unity shown by his team in the tournament which he thought was the main reason they finished in the top four.
In the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011, Wahab was included in the playing eleven after Pakistan’s 110-run loss to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915.
Wahab’s inclusion in the semi-final again became doubtful as many of the former cricketers favoured Akhtar to play against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 also stressed on including Akhtar in the clash against archrivals saying that he
always performed well against them. Legendry cricketers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084 also voiced similar sentiments.
On the other hand, skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 and coach Waqar Younis were not willing to include Akhtar. They thought that the pacer did not show any interest in playing cricket after announcing his retirement during the World Cup.
Riaz giving his views on the role played by the Indian media said that they did not pay any heed to their reports which eventually put pressure on the opponents. He added that they had confidence in their abilities and proved themselves at various occasions.
He stressed that it was now time to look up to the future.
“I think we should now look ahead to the future, rather than keep focusing on the defeat. Constantly lamenting the loss will be detrimental for us. We should now start working for the future success of the team,” said Riaz.
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