New Delhi: As the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches its climax, experts are sharing their insights on how the tournament has unfolded. Fans have access to a variety of sources providing fresh perspectives daily, covering technical aspects of the game along with exclusive stories and expert opinions on the ongoing ICC event.
Recently, one such show, The Dressing Room, has been gaining immense popularity as cricketers from different countries come together to share hilarious and lesser-known stories. In the latest episode, which is now going viral, former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri appeared on the show to provide his in-depth analysis of the eight-team tournament.
During the show, Shastri shared the story behind the creation of the popular Shaz and Waz segment on TV. Reflecting on his playing days, he mentioned that cricket broadcasts felt somewhat monotonous, as the audience primarily consisted of men watching the game.
Shastri recalled how the idea for Shaz and Waz came about, crediting Ray [Hugh] for suggesting a lighthearted segment during tea breaks to balance cricket’s serious and lengthy nature. “Ray said, ‘Why don’t we try this show in the middle, at tea time?’ Since cricket is a six-hour game, he wanted to break it up,” Shastri shared. When discussing the format, Ray suggested bringing in guests, prompting Shastri to ask, *”Male or female?”* He emphasized that featuring female guests would not only make the show more engaging but also help promote women’s cricket, which was crucial at the time.
Shastri further elaborated on the impact of having a diverse audience in cricket. He recalled that during his playing days, the presence of only male spectators made the atmosphere feel dull. However, when female fans were present, it added a different energy to the game. “You felt like you had to impress—not just with your performances on the field, but also those watching,” he said. He emphasized that female spectators brought vibrancy to the sport, adding, “Let’s face it, they add color.” This mindset carried over to Shaz and Waz, where having diverse guests made the show more engaging.
Ravi Shastri reflected on the success of Shaz and Waz, highlighting how the inclusion of diverse guests brought a fresh dynamic to the show. “We found that they loved the game; their knowledge was unbelievable, and they came from different walks of life—some were models, some were chefs, some were university students,” he said. The unique, lighthearted format, which blended cricket with fun and engaging conversations, quickly made it one of the top 10 shows. He humorously added that after each episode, his phone would be flooded with messages from jealous male friends, proving just how popular the show had become.
How Shaz and Waz show started?
The Shaz and Waz segment brought together two cricketing greats—India’s Ravi Shastri and Pakistan’s Wasim Akram. Shastri took on the role of ‘Shaz,’ while Akram was dubbed ‘Waz,’ a nickname given to him by legendary Pakistani captain Imran Khan. The show was launched by ESPN Star Sports in January 2004 during India’s tour of Australia.
A Game-Changing Idea
At a time when tea breaks were often filled with mundane match analysis, Shaz and Waz brought a fresh, engaging twist. Shastri, after a casual chat with a producer, proposed adding a “female element” to make mid-break discussions more entertaining and appealing.
From Idea to Reality in Two Days
What started as an informal conversation quickly materialized into a full-fledged show. Within just two days, Shaz and Waz was on air, offering viewers a mix of cricket, fun, and engaging conversations, breaking away from the traditional format of expert discussions.
Massive Popularity and Impact
The show’s innovative format resonated with fans, leading to a surge in viewership. It quickly became one of the top 10 cricket shows and reportedly increased the broadcaster’s audience by an impressive 65%. Its unique blend of humor, cricket insights, and guest interactions made it a standout hit in cricket broadcasting.
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