ISLAMABAD: Left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has urged the youth not to get any inspiration from what happened between him and opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match on February 14.

“Whatever happened that day during the match was my reaction to something. But I don’t want to get into details. I would like to urge people not to get any inspiration from the incident,” he said while talking to a local TV channel.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) fined Riaz and Shehzad 40 per cent and 30 per cent of their match fees respectively for ‘inappropriate physical contact’.

Riaz was representing Peshawar Zalmi and Shehzad was playing for Quetta Gladiators during the 17th PSL match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Gladiators, batting first, sent Shehzad and Asad Shafiq as their openers.

Shehzad was looking in a good form and all set for a big innings until Wahab shattered his middle stump soon after getting smashed for a mighty six in the fifth over.

The wicket followed an exchange of harsh words with both players shoving each other.

TV replays showed Wahab provoking Shehzad by passing on ‘inappropriate’ comments, to which the batsman reacted by colliding into the bowler, crossing a fine line between intense competition and unacceptable behaviour.

The scuffle was, however, neutralised on the spot.

Shehzad also had a message for the fiery fast bowler. “Whatever happens on the field will always remain on the field. I wish my Pakistan teammate well,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...