A team that is backed by its nation can be magical on the field: Wahab Riaz

The match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan were not just surrounded by cricketing tension, but also the political tension that surrounded the two countries. The countries relationship is in dismal form, with neither of the countries taking any step towards a better future at least in the game of cricket.

India has had the upper edge over the neighbours in the major ICC tournament, with only a few victories going through the border to the other side. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first in Birmingham, with the dark clouds on. The rain was a predominant factor in the game, with the side batting first having a slight advantage in the game.

Wahab Riaz had a poor day at work

India began their innings on a bright note, with a 136-run partnership between the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan which ended with a slog sweep from the left-handed Dhawan, who was dismissed for 68 runs. Left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz was the biggest question mark of the game, with his injury being a concern, but the left-arm seamer was fit to take part in the game.

Although Wahab Riaz was fit for the game, his bowling did not have the same effect as it had in the game against the same opposition six years ago at Mohali. India wrapped up the innings in some style, with Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya accounting for 101 runs 74 balls during the latter part of the Indian innings.

The left-arm seamer could not complete his quota of ten overs, after suffering a side-strain injury bowling only 8.4 overs in the process. In the 8.4 overs the left-arm seamer bowled, he gave away 87 runs at an economy rate of above 10 in a crucial encounter.

In reply, the Pakistani batsmen could not time the ball off the middle of the bat which led to their quick dismissals in the chase. At 4/114 in the 24th over of the chase, Pakistan was trembling under the pressure of the Indian bowlers, who varied their length and pace to adjust to the conditions. In the end, Pakistan went home short of 124 runs from the Indian scoreboard.

Apology on Twitter

The left-arm seamer took Twitter to apologise to his and the Pakistan Cricket fans, where he said “My performance has let down my nation n team, Im sorry sp to PCT fans. I tried my best but it was not good enough n I’m heart broken as well” after being ruled out from the tournament.

My performance has let down my nation n team, Im sorry sp to PCT fans. I tried my best but it was not good enough n I'm heart broken as well

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) June 7, 2017

In reply, one of his fans who said that it was not just Wahab Riaz, who performed badly but it was the entire Pakistani team who did not arrive at the party, to which the seamer replied “A team that is backed by its nation can be magical on the field, cause our efforts r 4 our country. Wishing the boyz best of luck #PakvsSA.”

Jani masla hy nhi baqion ne konsa teer mar liya hy https://t.co/6EsMCbY6sX

— SaddaM (@last_penalty) June 7, 2017

A team that is backed by its nation can be magical on the field, cause our efforts r 4 our country.

Wishing the boyz best of luck #PakvsSA https://t.co/ivEfSHFmbd

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) June 7, 2017