While many expected someone from either Australia or South Africa to get the honour of delivering the fastest ball of the World Cup in the 27 games played so far, it was bowled by WAHAB RIAZ who clocked 154.5kph during Pakistan’s clash with India at Adelaide.

It was undoubtedly Wahab’s day at the Gabba last Sunday. After coming to the rescue with a priceless unbeaten knock of 54 to give his team a fighting total, the 29-year-old left-armer grabbed figures of 4-45 to clinch the man-of-the-match award.

With Pakistan fighting their way to third spot in the pool standings before today’s clash against South Africa at Eden Park, their prospects of reaching the quarter-final phase have been boosted by Wahab’s impressive form with both ball and bat.

Zimbabwe’s quarter-final aspirations may be hanging on knife-edge, but SEAN WILLIAMS has already made his presence felt in the World Cup by being the African nation’s best performer in what has been a disappointing campaign.

The 28-year-old Bulawayo-born left-handed all-rounder starred in his team’s solitary victory in the ongoing tournament with figures of 2-43 and an undefeated 76 against the UAE and hit another 76 in a losing cause against the West Indies.

And then in the tense fixture at Brisbane against Pakistan, Williams grabbed two wickets in three balls before contributing 33 as a fighting Zimbabwe went down by 20 runs.

If Zimbabwe hope to reach the knockout stage with victories then Williams will be the key man for them in the remaining two games.

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

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