Video: Wahab Riaz bats with broken hand to save Pakistan

Wahab Riaz bowls during a Pakistan training session

If the size of Pakistan pace spearhead Wahab Riaz’s heart was ever in doubt, his defiance of pain and fear in the 2^nd Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo has cemented his place as one of the bravest characters ever to have graced a cricket field.

With Pakistan in trouble with a lead of less than 150 on board in the second innings on Day 4, Riaz walked out to bat with a fractured hand. One hand on bat handle, another hanging tentatively alongside, he stuck around for 11 balls – adding 6 runs which included a boundary.

Riaz had earlier battled through the pain to bowl 9 overs in the first innings, claiming two maiden overs and giving away only 19 runs.

He was hit on the glove by debutant Dushmantha Chameera on the first day of the Test, a blow which has ruled him out of the remainder of the Sri Lanka series. However, for the four days of the Test that remained, Riaz refused to be a liability.

A few moments from Riaz’s display of courage on Day 4: