Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz aims for international comeback

Wahab Riaz has been one of Pakistan’s most fiery fast bowlers and a tormenting factor for several batsmen owing to the pace and bounce he extracts. His five-wicket haul in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup semi-final against India and his masterful spell of bowling to Shane Watson in the 2015 CWC in Down Under remain afresh in the memories.

However, the last few months haven’t been a smooth ride for the 32-year cricketer from Lahore as far as donning the national colours is concerned. He last represented the country in their home Test series versus Sri Lanka back in October 2017. Nevertheless, he played for the Peshawar Zalmi in the erstwhile edition of the Pakistan Super League and became the joint highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps from 13 matches.

“The whole thing is about fitness”- Wahab

Riaz has had fitness issues throughout his career owing to his sinus problem and he mentioned about the same as per reports in brecorder.com. “I had this sinus issue for the past 10-12 years and this is making me struggle to stay fit. I have done the surgery now during the time I had off and I am feeling much better now. I had to rest for 2-3 weeks.”

Pakistan will play a two-match Test series versus England, which begins from May 24 at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium. Despite, his stupendous form, Wahab wasn’t selected in the squad. Nonetheless, the pacer vowed to make a comeback in the triangular series against Australia and Zimbabwe in July.

“My task now is to make a comeback to international cricket and to represent Pakistan. I am now looking forward to the next series and working towards it to make my mark on it. My aim is to try and be selected for the Tri-Series in Zimbabwe. If that does not happen, I will fly to the UK to play for Derbyshire,” Riaz affirmed.

“The whole thing is about fitness and I would like to play for Pakistan in all three formats of the game. I know a lot of people were unhappy with me about my performances [but] I have been working very hard for the past year,” he added while putting emphasis on the significance of staying fit.

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