Wahab Riaz apologises to Pakistani fans for World Cup exit

Riaz docked 50% of his match fee while Watson fined 15% of his match fee for violating ICC's code of conduct

Wahab Riaz, who put the fear of the white ball back in the likes of Michael Clarke and Shane Watson with his scorching spell of fast bowling against Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals, apologised to the Pakistani nation for failing to live up to their expectations.

(1) Thnku each n every1 of u who supported me n wished me luck V tried our best to b at ur expectations but unfortnately it cudnt happened

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) March 21, 2015

 

Thnku every1 for ur love n support . Keep me in ur prayers n keep supporting me n my team. Love u all.

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) March 21, 2015

 

Riaz, disappointed with the defeat, thanked his supporters in a tweet and said that the Pakistani team tried their best to land on everyone’s expectations.

Earlier in the day, he offered a public apology to the people, some of whom staged mock funerals for Pakistani cricket and reportedly destroyed their television sets.

“I am sad and I apologise to the people for the defeat because they had so many expectations from us,” the left arm pacer said on Geo News.

“I think more than ever we need the support of our fans now. I am sad because we could have won the match,” he said.

When asked about Rahat Ali dropping Watson’s catch, Riaz said, “I have no complaints because these things happen in a high-pressure match.”

ICC fines Riaz, Watson

On Saturday, Riaz was fined 50 per cent of his match fee by the ICC for violating the Code of Conduct during a heated war of words with Australia's Shane Watson.

Riaz was found to have breached article 2.1.4 of ICC's code for "using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match.” He was subsequently docked 50 per cent of his match fee.

Watson, who was found to have violated Article 2.1.8 (a) of the code for "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game", was slapped with fine equivalent to 15 per cent of his match fee.

Explaining his decision, Mr Madugalle said: “It was an enthralling contest between Shane and Wahab, but in the closing stages of the match both players crossed that fine line between intense competition and unacceptable behaviour, and this resulted in the sanctions.”

This article originally appeared in India Today.