Riaz, Watson charged by ICC for Code of Conduct violation

Published March 20, 2015
Pakistani cricketer Wahab Riaz (L) reacts after bowling to Australian batsman Shane Watson during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Australia and Pakistan in Adelaide on March 20, 2015 ─  AFP
Pakistani cricketer Wahab Riaz (L) reacts after bowling to Australian batsman Shane Watson during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Australia and Pakistan in Adelaide on March 20, 2015 ─ AFP
Australia's batsman Shane Watson (L) exchanges words with Pakistan's paceman Wahab Riaz (C) during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Pakistan and Australia at the Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2015 ─ AFP
Australia's batsman Shane Watson (L) exchanges words with Pakistan's paceman Wahab Riaz (C) during the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between Pakistan and Australia at the Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2015 ─ AFP

The International Cricket Council (ICC) charged Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson on Friday for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Pakistan vs. Australia quarter-final, which the Australian team won.

According to DawnNews, if players admit their wrongdoing, they are generally let off with a warning. But it is uncertain what kind of action will be taken against the two cricketers.

The ICC will announce on Saturday what ─ if any ─ action will be taken against them for the violation.

Riaz, during an aggressive bowling spell, peppered Watson with a series of short-pitched deliveries and sarcastically applauded, even blowing the 33-year-old a kiss at one stage.

There was also an exchange of words between the two players.

Read more: That was some really nasty stuff, Watson says of Wahab's spell

Riaz told SkySports earlier: “We watched how the Australia guys play and had a chat before the game and put plans in place. I knew Watson was not so good with short balls so I knew I had to attack. The plans were successful at times but unfortunately we could not win the game.”

Following the match, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq hailed the fiery Riaz's performance.

Wahab Riaz screams after Shane Watson was dropped in the outfield. ─ Reuters
Wahab Riaz screams after Shane Watson was dropped in the outfield. ─ Reuters

“He bowled his heart out and was a different kind of bowler throughout this tournament. I have never seen a bowler bowling like that and if that catch had been taken who knows what could have happened?”

Watson would have been caught out during Riaz's bowling spell, had Rahat Ali been able to hold on to the ball at deep-square leg.

Read more: Australia dump sloppy Pakistan out of World Cup

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