WAHAB RIAZ REVEALS HIS PLAN TO DISMISS YUVRAJ SINGH WORKED TO PERFECTION

Wahab Riaz reveals his plan to dismiss Yuvraj Singh in ICC World Cup 2011 worked to perfection

Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has said that his plan to dismiss India’s Yuvraj Singh off the first ball worked to perfection on the day.

Riaz bowled India’s premier left hander with a fine late swinging yorker off the first ball he faced in the semi-final of the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011.

The left-arm fast bowler added that he and his coaches had been working hard to accomplish the target since it was confirmed that they would play their archrivals in the semis.

“It was a dismissal that I had played out in my mind several times after it was confirmed that we would play India in the semi-final,” said the young left-arm pacer. “I worked hard on that particular delivery in the nets with the coaches, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed. We all felt that the only way to stop Yuvraj's golden form was to get him in the first few balls.”

Wahab was the most successful Pakistan bowler against India as he returned with career best figures of 5 for 46 from his spell of 10 overs. It was also Wahab’s first five-for in One Day International cricket.

The 25-year-old pacer further revealed that he not only had plans for Yuvraj, but also for the complete batting line-up of India.

Reminiscing their clash with the archrivals, Riaz said that opener Virender Sehwag’s wicket was sensational but Singh’s wicket was special for him.

“The wicket of Virender Sehwag set my adrenalin flowing because he is such a dangerous player,” said the young pacer who was given a chance in the high-pressure game ahead of speedster Shoaib Akhtar. “But Yuvraj's wicket was special as he was out first ball and his dismissal really shocked and stunned the spectators.”

The Lahore-born bowler, who made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2008, admitted that he had been under pressure ahead of the semi-final game against India. He also told that he could not sleep for three days before the match.

However, Wahab was dejected that despite his five-wicket haul, the team failed to win the match. He said that the defeat was very disappointing and frustrating. He said that it hurt them more since they restricted the mighty batting line-up of India to a manageable total.

Wahab reckoned they could have easily won the game with their batting depth and a few partnerships could have seen them home, but it was not the case.