Finally, the Pakistan Cricket Team has included Mohammad Amir in their squad for ICC World Cup 2019. Though it isn’t a surprise, the addition of Wahab Riaz is a shocking aspect, as none would have expected him to break into the scene. Meanwhile, the chief selector Inzamam Ul Haq revealed the reason.
Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir have been their best bowlers over the years. However, the Pakistan board tried different unit in the recent series but unfortunately, their idea didn’t work out. It certainly pushed the selectors to welcome the experienced duo once again into the team.
We will encounter batting wickets – Inzamam Ul Haq
Speaking of the inclusion, Inzamam quoted that they understand the pitches in England is going to be batting friendly throughout the tournament. In this case, Pakistan wants to go with their experienced bowlers, who already tackled such situations earlier in their career.
Further, he went on to add saying that the lack of firepower in the current bowling attack also made them take the call ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019.
”The lack of potency of our frontline bowlers in the recent ODI series against England meant that a change was needed. In addition, we now know that we will encounter batting wickets throughout the World Cup campaign,” said Inzamam during the press conference announcing the squad.
“The combination of both these elements, meant that we believed that right now, utilising the World Cup experience and knowledge of Wahab was the correct choice,” he added.
On Wahab Riaz:
The selection of Riaz is a surprising but Inzamam Ul Haq has got the strong reason behind it. The former skipper of Pakistan quoted that Riaz is aware of the English conditions, as he already played a lot of county games. Further, he believes that world cup warm-up games would make him match ready.
“Wahab has been training and playing club cricket, and the player of his calibre will not face much problem in adapting and adjusting to the gruelling demands of the World Cup. In addition, playing in the World Cup warm-up matches, bowling his quota, will have him match-ready.
“The bowling unit during the England ODI has not clicked as anticipated or expected; if we have at our disposal two vastly experienced pace duo of Amir and Wahab, then it will be foolish not to include them,” added Inzamam.
All in all, it was an interesting selection from the Pakistan team. Wahab Riaz last played for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Now, once again, he makes a way into the team for yet another ICC Event. His stint with the team in ICC World Cup 2015 is a memorable one.
Here is the updated squad:
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hasnain