Wahab Riaz is happy that Babar Azam is captaining the Peshawar Zalmi side and hopes to impress the Pakistan skipper by bowing well in the ongoing PSL 2023 and opening doors for a comeback to the national side.
Wahab Riaz had led Peshawar Zalmi in previous PSL seasons, but when Karachi Kings traded Babar Azam to the Zalmis side, Riaz decided to step down as captain as he felt the Pakistan skipper should be captaining his PSL side as well.
While speaking in a post-match press conference after Zalmi’s four-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators on Monday, Riaz said that he is hoping to do well with the ball in the ongoing PSL tournament which might help him to make a comeback in the Pakistan side.
“It is good that Babar has come to Peshawar Zalmi. You expect Pakistan captain to lead in franchise cricket as well. As a player, I am enjoying myself. I have a better chance to show him or prove to him, what I am capable of. I can perform in this tournament and make a comeback [in national team]. It is good that he is leading, because there is less pressure on me. I can think about my bowling and execute it well,” Riaz was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
I Will Definitely Play 2023 World Cup: Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riaz, 37, made his Pakistan debut in 2008 and played his last international match in December 2020. He has appeared in the Pakistan team for 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20I matches and had picked 83, 120, and 34 wickets respectively.
Wahab, who played in the 2019 World Cup for Pakistan, aims to play in the 2023 World Cup as well and said that it is in his destiny to play in the ICC event, which will be held in India in October-November.
“My aim is to win matches in this tournament in different situations. Your performance is not only dependent on how many wickets you take. It also depends on how you have bowled in different pressure situations. I am looking forward to it and if it is in my fate, then I will definitely play 2023 World Cup,” he added.