The Big Bad Wolf of Pakistan – Wahab’s vengeance

Over the years, Pakistan has faced England on countless occasions. Since limited overs cricket practically invented itself, both sides have been at it against each other on the cricket field. The clashes between the two have seldom had results that have bored the crowds. These encounters have seen everything possible. From broken cheekbones and jaws to spot-fixing, jail, and bans in recent times. However, as far as Pakistan is concerned, this tour has been a ground-breaking one on so many levels.

Why? It showed that they are dangerous. It showed that they are not mere pushovers. Keep in mind that the previous team to make their way out to England was Sri Lanka. Although in transition, the Lankans are a supremely formidable force. Especially after annihilating Australia in their own backyard, they are on the verge of accomplishing a rare first since gaining Test match status in 1981. That story, however, is for another time.

It was the final day’s play at The Oval. The folks in London had turned out in their numbers. The diversity in the crowd was there for all to see. From the monsters of Sesame Street to Wonder Woman, they were all present. The others were there for the sunshine. Mind you, the sunshine in London is like French Kissing in a movie, it almost never happens. However, this was one of the few rare events in the history of sorts. There was not one cloud in the sky. A sea of green was also present. The Pakistani fans had made their way out to witness the final day of the series.

The eleven players from Pakistan were scattered in the vast expanse of The Oval. Misbah-ul-Haq was a picture of calm. Not because he was not feeling any pressure, but, the wires in his nerves were beating the doldrums of calmness. However, the overnight England batsmen Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow were not laughing. Far from it actually. Behind the bravado and the manliness of the English batsmen present, it was clear that they were intimidated. Not by the bravado of Pakistan, but by a certain individual by the name of Wahab Riaz.

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The 31-year old is a once in a lifetime pacer. Has he lived up to his potential as a pacer? Maybe not, but he certainly has a reputation of being one of the best. Wahab’s predicament is not that he can bowl fast. His predicament is something far worse than one can comprehend. Just a few days back, Jarrod Kimber had described Wahab Riaz as Pakistan’s ‘big bad wolf’. However, the problem is the fact that he cannot reprise his role consistently.

When one opens up a Wisden Cricket History Book, he is more than sure to find their fair share of pace bowlers. Wes Hall, Dennis Lillee, and Jeff Thomson are the names one will come across. No one, and I can guarantee this, that there are not many of these bowlers around anymore. Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, and a few have been 10-20 percent emulations of the same. But, the fact that the bowlers of yesteryear had the intimidation factor is something that not many possess in recent times. Wahab Riaz is perhaps the only one who can stir up a batsman with a cricket ball and no words.

Everyone remembered two of Wahab’s most lethal spells. One of the reasons why they are not prominent in Pakistani pop culture is the fact that they have been in losing causes. The first one was in the World Cup semi-final in 2011 against India at Mohali. While the fixture was an immensely political one in the context of the platform and the venue’s distance from the Pakistan border, Wahab produced a spell of magic. He picked five wickets and India won the game. The second one was the World Cup 2015. Although Australia clinched a win and moved ahead in the tournament, the Wahab v Watson encounter is something that has been billed as perhaps Wahab’s best spell. A dropped catch, a terrified yet unbeaten Watson was not enough to win the match.

On Day 5 of the final Test at The Oval, Wahab had his tail up. Perhaps it was something that the coaches had told him to fire him up. In a nutshell, he had not shown this type of intensity since that fateful spell against Watson. He charged in towards Jonny Bairstow in the opening over of the day. The first delivery around the wicket to Bairstow and the ball clattered into the cover fence. It was time for a change up. With fire in his eyes, Wahab charged in from over the wicket. Perhaps he could find the edge. He didn’t. Bairstow was presenting those who hadn’t seen the previous delivery by playing the exact same shot.

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Wahab’s ploy had failed. Needless to say, Misbah brought back Sohail Khan. Those who saw Wahab can safely say that he was brooding by the third-man boundary. As far as most were concerned, the Brits had just gifted Pakistan the match. They had not lost a wicket. They had Bairstow, Ballance, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes to come. Mind you, they all could wield the bat to perfection. Yet, they had lost the match already – by coming in the line of fire of Wahab Riaz. He would be the one to hold them by the scruff of the neck. He would be the executioner. He would be the one to rise up to the occasion. A win on Pakistan’s independence day? It was in Wahab’s hands.

Four wickets to go. The need to make a decision weighs heavy on Misbah’s shoulder. What does he do? He simply tosses the ball to Wahab Riaz. The pacer, whose frustrations had been built up thus far could not be handed the ball at a better time. Wahab charges in around the wicket. It was time for some short stuff. The first one saw Bairstow make a quick run for cover. The ball had struck the bat before the batsman had a split second to play the ball. This was when Jonny Bairstow and the England tail realized that they were not playing against just Wahab Riaz. They were playing against a resurgent Wahab, one keen on propelling Pakistan to a historic win at The Oval. In a nutshell, they were playing Wahab’s vengeance.

And Wahab’s vengeance was not about to give in just yet. He would bowl and bowl and bowl and bowl. He was prepared to break his back for the team’s cause. The first sign of Wahab’s vengeance was the run out of Chris Woakes. The tussle Woakes had with the Pakistan pacer and the subsequent run out gave everyone, even David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, a message. He may as well have been saying to the England tailenders ‘You better run away, because I’m coming for you’.

The celebrations told a distinct story. He was not here to make merry. He would pick up the ball and get ready for the next bout. He was not smiling. In fact, there was a touch of aggression written all over his face. In short, he was ready for the next bout. Jonny Bairstow was the next to go. Wahab was bowling at a fearsome pace, something Pakistan had been yearning for a long time. As some describe it, Wahab is a bowler with terrifying pace. Yet, his consistency is something that has separated him from the world belonging to Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, and others. Perhaps Wahab’s vengeance can be a small yet prominent part of this world.

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A wonderful 218 from Younis Khan eventually saw Pakistan complete a historic series against England. In spite of the 2-2 scoreline, it is clear that everyone did something on the tour. Among all the moments captured by Getty Images and other photographers, it is clear that one picture will remain in their history books at the end of the match, the one where a Pakistan flag is surrounded by all the players who played their part in the win.