The left-arm pacer who will continue to play franchise cricket last played for Pakistan in 2020
Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz has announced his retirement from international cricket. The left-arm pacer who will continue to play franchise cricket last played for Pakistan in 2020. Wahab is remembered for his Firey spell to Shane Watson in the quarterfinal of the 2015 ICC Men’s World Cup against Australia.
Although the fast bowler was not able to pick Watson’s wicket courtesy of a dropped catch from Rahat Ali, he rattled all the Australian batters with his sheer pace. He was destined to be the next big thing in Pakistan cricket but his lack of control over his bowling restricted him from achieving new heights.
While there were some match-winning spells bowled by him in test cricket and most of them came against England his lack of control cut short his test career.
The Infamous Test
One of Wahab’s memorable spells came in the infamous 2010 series against England where he rattled England’s top order which had the likes of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pieterson, and Jonathon Trott that was the only silver lining for Pakistan on an otherwise forgetful tour.
Wahab created such havoc on that tour that he was questioned by Scotland Yard regarding his involvement in match-fixing for which three of his colleagues were sentenced to jail and faced heavy bans. Wahab wasn’t involved in the same and has never been accused of any wrongdoing in his entire career.
In Wahab’s Words
“I have been speaking about my retirement plans past two years, that 2023 is my target to retire from International cricket, and I feel comfortable now more than ever that I have served my country and National team to the best I could have,” Wahab said in a press statement.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent Pakistan on the international stage. As I bid farewell to this chapter, I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure in franchise cricket, where I hope to entertain and inspire audiences while competing against some of the best talents in the world.” Wahab is currently serving as the caretaker sports minister of Punjab province
