Wahab vs Watson spell: Wasim Akram

DUBAI: Wahab Riaz earned a special place in the hearts of cricket fans around the world after his fiery spell to Australia's Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup quarter final.

But former pace great Wasim Akram has urged Wahab to move on from that 'one over' if he is to be considered a leader of Pakistan's fast bowling attack.

In the recently concluded New Zealand series, Wahab took five wickets in three T20s at an economy rate of 9.72. In two ODIs, he picked up two wickets at a rate of 6.32 and he was easily upstaged by Mohammad Amir in his comeback series.

 “He should keep in mind that he can’t dwell on one good over at the 2015 World Cup. He needs to sort out problems if he harbours any hopes to be among first choices for Pakistan,” added the former great.

While Wasim was full of suggestions for Wahab, he was satisfied with the way Amir fared in New Zealand.

“Mohammed Amir has bowled well but he needs some time to get into his groove. I am sure he will be back to his best after having some international matches under his belt since he is quite young (only 24),” said the World Cup winner.

Pakistan to be stronger at World T20

Wasim said despite Pakistan's dismal show in New Zealand, Shahid Afridi's team along with India and Sri Lanka would be favourites at the World T20.

“Everybody asks me who is the favourite to lift the trophy but it is very difficult to predict in this form of cricket. One over or one catch can change the complexion of the game,” he said.

“In my opinion, a team from subcontinent should be favourite to go all the way,” added Wasim.

According to the former captain, Pakistan would also benefit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) experience right before the World T20

The 'Sultan of Swing' also took a jibe the on-going Masters Champions League (MCL), of which Wasim was a part of initially.

He said the MCL looked a 'bit odd' and believed it would pose no threat to the PSL.

“Now I am 50 and it is not my time to play cricket. T20 is the youngsters’ game and let them entertain the crowd,” said Wasim.

“One or two exhibition matches might be OK for retired players but to play a whole series like the MCL is too taxing. They have passed their prime and sometimes it looks a bit odd,” he added.

That Wahab spell — A nation's faith in pace restored

145kph, 150kph, 147kph. Wahab Riaz to Shane Watson — six overs of the most compelling cricket of the season and a nation's faith in pace restored.

It had to be compelling, for it had the cricket world buzzing in the days that followed Pakistan's loss to Australia and its exit from the World Cup. For a moment in a match, that too in a losing cause, to have such an impact is quite something. It may be that in the world of LED stumps and boundary line pyrotechnics, Wahab's spell almost had a red-ball flavour to it, before that little red thing became very, very submissive to the bat. It was Test cricket played in colours and there was something about the soul of those six overs which continues to reverberate.

West Indies' batting genius Brian Lara was so taken by Wahab's bowling he couldn't wait to meet the Pakistani quick.

"I want to meet with this Riaz guy," Lara said, adding that he would pay the fine imposed on Wahab by the ICC for his verbals at Watson.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting termed the Wahab-Watson duel in the quarter-final as "cricket at its absolute best".

Just months prior to the World Cup, Misbah-ul-Haq came under constant fire for fielding, what many experts termed, a 'confused' team combination. Fans mocked the captain for picking Wahab as the 'allrounder' in the side, the 29-year-old's ability with the bat deemed too shoddy and his bowling too wayward for him to keep that spot. The 'jacket' too came up in discussions a few times.

Critics, however, all agreed on the fact that 'Viki' did not leave anything in the tank when he took the field.

Two wickets and an astonishing 36 deliveries later, though, Wahab is being touted as Pakistan's next ODI captain.

"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; that is what is required right now to put Pakistan cricket back on track," former captain Ramiz Raja said after the quarter-final.

In a poll conducted by Dawn, 2,948 out of a total 9,147 respondents voted for Wahab to take over as the next ODI captain. Sarfraz Ahmed, with 2,238 votes, was the second choice.

Considering the overwhelming support Sarfraz received throughout the World Cup, for Wahab to take the cake in a matter of six overs is an achievement, one would think. But if Meghan Trainor were a Pakistan fan, she would tell you in no clear terms: 'It's all about that pace, all about that pace, all about that pace'.

The sudden shift in emotion towards the Lahore pacer reveals a lot about the psyche of the nation. Fast bowling is a value that cricket followers in the country hold dear and no amount of 'mystery spin' compares to it.

The ability to intimidate and pepper the body from a length, at speed; to leave the stumps spread-eagled and have the wit to deliver a parting shot at the batsman; all seem very inherent. Perhaps it comes from playing the 'formative cricket' on the streets, where its six or out. But when you get Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram. Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid, Shoaib Akhtar one after the other, it's hard for it to not turn into a culture.

Wahab simply showed a glimpse of that lifestyle.

Whether he has the ability to captain the side is a matter of debate – one that should be devoid of emotion. He has 77 wickets from 54 ODIs at an average of 30.20 after all. But for the fans, he's got that feeling back. The absence of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and an off-colour Shahid Afridi gave Pakistan the opportunity to attack with their traditional strength. And it only seemed natural when it came off.

With Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi, Pakistan's strategy was more of a 'stifle' than an assault. Often, Misbah employed very defensive fields to make that strategy work and the pacers played supporting roles. But the 40-year-old's hand was forced at the World Cup and at the end of the Pakistan's campaign, he seemed pleasantly surprised at the results he could produce by unleashing the fast men.

As Misbah and Afridi bid farewell and with Ajmal and Hafeez on the sidelines currently, the dynamics of a 'new team' could certainly be interesting.