Athletes going against the stereotypes isn’t something very new in the sporting industry. Remember Anil Kumble defying the odds with a broken jaw against West Indies in 2002? On Saturday, June 29, it was the Pakistan paceman, Wahab Riaz, who demonstrated his lionheart by delivering what was promised despite coming on the field with a fractured finger against Afghanistan.
It was just a day before Pakistan’s crucial tie against their western neighbours that Riaz hurt his finger during a field practice session. And on the matchday, it was discovered that he has actually broken his finger. However, after a brief discussion with his captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, it was decided that Riaz would be included in the team.
“See, I already knew that I had a fractured finger. It’s all about will power. I am here to give whatever my team requires,” the 34-year-old said.
“I told the captain (Sarfaraz Ahmed) that I would give 100 per cent in bowling, but might come up short in other departments. ‘If you can bowl, that’s enough’ was his reply. That was a big boost and I was ready for the game.”
Read | No talk of 1992 parallels, says Wahab Riaz
As it turned out, Riaz not only picked two wickets in his eight overs but also played a crucial knock with the bat (15 off just nine deliveries including a six and a four) as the Men in Green defeated Afghanistan by three runs with two balls left.
“I shouldn’t be saying this, but there was a lot of debate on this issue. Wahab bhai played with a broken finger today. With that broken finger, he bowled today. He hit a six and a four, which was crucial for us. I salute him for doing this for Pakistan,” said Imad Wasim, who played an important 24-run partnership with the pacer.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby
