Fire in belly, hunger in eyes and the target in its mind. That is the arsenal, a cornered tiger possesses. This is what the doctor must have ordered when Pakistan faced the eventual World Cup winners, Australia in the quarterfinals. This was definitely the recipe to attain success on the day. But this was exactly what was missing in the Pakistan team that day.

Perhaps not the whole team. 10 out of the 11 showed up to lose. They looked down and probably out. As if they had lost the war before it had started. As if they had let go of the prey without even attacking. Only one man stood there fighting a lost battle, giving it all till the last ball he bowled.

Wahab Riaz was the only cornered tiger that turned out. He had been bashed earlier by the Aussies when he came out to bat at 188-6. His team was down and out but he stuck to the crease, puffed his chest out and tried to reach a respectable total. While batting, a certain Shane Watson sledged the poor fellow and forced him into a mistake.

Little did Watson know that Wahab was a warrior. Little did Watson know that he had to pay for his undoing. Exactly an innings and 15 overs later, Wahab came on to bowl the spell of a lifetime.

Wahab steamed in ball after ball after ball. He literally bowled his heart out. The world saw a different Wahab that day. Perhaps the one of the future. Misbah brought him on for a crucial breakthrough and that's what Wahab gave his skipper. Right in his first over he got rid of the dangerous Warner and eventually bounced the Australian captain, Michael Clarke, out. Then came the moment everyone had waited for.

In came Watson, looking nervous, to face his very first ball. And what a ball it was. "Right on the money" as they say. This was the start of the brilliant spell. Ball after ball Watson played Wahab with fear. And every ball it seemed Wahab would get the prized wicket. He bowled at some serious pace, clicked 150 Ks quite often and was aggressive throughout.

After every ball that whizzed past Watson's grill Wahab clapped sarcastically and gave Watson a taste of his own medicine. After that Watson stood at the crease, silent and stunned. 
 

They say Australians are known for sledging. Well they are right but surely Wahab gave it back to them – and with some interest.  In fact such was the fear and flair of Wahab that cricketing legends couldn't resist but praise the fast bowler.

After the match, Shane Warne said: "This is the best spell of fast bowling I've seen in sometime". Similarly, Tom Moody said: "This is the best spell of CWC15". Finally Watson, the man himself, was all praises after the match. He went on to say: "I was very lucky to survive Wahab's deadly spell." 

Pakistan might have lost the quarterfinal but there's not a shadow of doubt that Wahab Riaz won, not only the hearts of the millions of cricket lovers throughout the world but the respect of the legends of this beautiful game. Indeed, the best moment for Pakistan came at the end. This spell of a lifetime will remain in our hearts for a very long time.