On last Monday (20th May), Pakistan left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has earned a surprise call-up in the 15-member Team Pakistan squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. The experienced pacer is confident of performing well in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
From the initial 15-member Pakistan World Cup squad, the selectors have omitted Junaid Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Abid Ali. Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Asif Ali have earned the national team call-up for the forthcoming Cricket World Cup.
Since June 2017, Wahab hasn’t played the limited-overs international cricket. However, the national selectors have finally put their faith in his experiences.
The 33-year-old Wahab is ready to utilise this opportunity. He feels that his Test experiences in England will work in the upcoming tournament.
Wahab recently said, “It is a responsibility now because I have been recalled because of my experience. I have not played too many ODIs in England but playing in Test matches there has helped me a lot and I know the conditions and pitches well now.”
I hope that my team can benefit from my experience in the mega-event – Wahab Riaz
Since his ODI debut in February 2008, Wahab has played 79 ODIs where he has taken 102 wickets. The left-arm pacer has played two Cricket World Cups in 2011 and 2015. He has played 12 matches in Cricket World Cup history where he has bagged 24 wickets.
Wahab is confident of performing as per expectations in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
He added, “I am confident that I can live up to the expectations and do the job given to me. I have become a mentally and physically stronger bowler now after playing a lot of domestic cricket and I hope that my team can benefit from my experience in the mega-event.”
Wahab was the joint leading wicket-taker in the recent domestic List A tournament (Pakistan Cup 2019). The left-arm pacer took ten wickets in five matches with an average of 20.70 and economy rate of 4.60.
He also performed well in the PSL 2019. Wahab was the third most wicket-taker in that tournament who picked up 17 wickets in 13 matches.
Wahab also revealed that he recently had a dream about this lucky World Cup selection.
The left-arm pacer claimed, “I had a dream a few days back that Inzamam-ul-Haq called me up and told me about my selection with the warning that this is your last chance. The dream has come true and I very happy because my late father always wanted me to play in the maximum number of World Cups for my country.”
Fielders need to support their bowlers – Wahab Riaz
Recently, Pakistan lost the five-match ODI series against the host England by the 4-0 margin. Though they fought very well in that ODI series, their poor fielding hugely affected their performances.
Wahab spoke about that, “Fielders need to support their bowlers especially on pitches where conditions favour the batsmen.”
The 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will run from 30th May to 14th July in England and Wales. Pakistan will start their journey in this World Cup on 31st May when they will face Windies at Nottingham.