Wahab and Watson sanctioned by ICC

Monday, 23 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Wahab Riaz was fined 50% and Shane Watson 15% of their match fees – Getty Image ESPNCricinfo: Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson have both been sanctioned by the ICC for their part in a fiery and memorable confrontation in the quarter-final between Australia and Pakistan at Adelaide Oval. Wahab was fined 50% of his match fee for his demonstrative behaviour towards Watson, including an extended follow through that often took him eyeball to eyeball with the Australia all rounder, clapping provocatively in his face and acting in a generally aggressive manner. Watson was reprimanded 15% for goading Wahab in the first instance, and then retaliating with verbals during the latter stages of his innings, which grew from the shakiest of beginnings to help guide Australia into the semi-finals and a meeting with India in Sydney. Both players accepted their sanctions without the need for a full hearing, though neither man is likely to regret a passage of play that will be talked about for years to come. The two men shared a hand shake and warm words at the end of the match, and Wahab told ESPNcricinfo that he harboured no ill feeling towards Watson nor Mitchell Starc, who spoke the first words in a series of exchanges that began when Wahab was batting. Australia were understood to be somewhat disgruntled at the charge against Watson but thought it less of a distraction if it was accepted. The umpires are believed to have indicated they did not hear exactly what Watson said to Wahab, only that it was inflammatory. Wahab has stated Watson said ‘you don’t have a bat in your hand’, prompting him to respond in kind when bowling. “It was a game, it was fun, it was an exchange of words,” Wahab said on Saturday. “In the end hats off to him, he played well. “You have seen me shaking hands and congratulating Shane Watson as well, so it was just a part of the game and when the game is finished you are friends outside.

Ramiz calls for Wahab as ODI captain

Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has called on the national selectors to appoint fast bowler Wahab Riaz as the country’s next one-day captain. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ramiz said that after watching Wahab bowl in the quarter-final defeat against Australia, he was convinced Wahab can make it “big as a leader” because of the “aggression, passion and emotion” he showed. Pakistan will need to find a replacement for Misbah-ul-Haq, who had announced his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup, and Ramiz urged the selectors to groom a youngster for the job. “It’s a difficult one because Pakistan have not yet trained a youngster,” Ramiz said. “What I saw of him (Wahab) against Australia convinces me that he’s got it in him to make it big as a leader because he showed aggression, passion and emotion and that is what is required right now to put Pakistan cricket back on track. “The team think tank have not really been able to give Pakistan that aggressive tag that its renowned for and I’ve been very disappointed with the route that we have taken. Pakistan cricket is about emotion, about showing passion and to a certain degree about being unpredictable in a healthy way, which makes it so romantic.” Wahab was among the few standout performers for Pakistan at the World Cup, finishing as one of the tournament’s highest wicket-takers with 16 scalps at an average of 23.00 and an economy rate of 5.56. His spell to Shane Watson during Australia’s run-chase in the quarter-final in Adelaide was an unforgettable passage of play, and Ramiz believed the time was right for Pakistan to pitchfork Wahab at the helm on the back of that performance. “You can experiment with an out-of-box idea like this in one-day cricket. Australia is a great example,” he said. “George Bailey was plucked out of first class cricket straight into international cricket as a leader when he was made T20 captain. I’ve seen the ingredients to give Wahab Riaz that pedestal and position. Let’s see how he operates but what I saw of him against Australia, he can take Pakistan cricket in the right direction.”