Pakistan

Wahab Riaz

Born: June 28, 1985, Lahore, Punjab

Wahab Riaz bio

Wahab Riaz, the left-arm fast bowler from Pakistan, is known for his fiery pace and has made a name for himself in international cricket. Born on June 28, 1985, in Lahore, Pakistan, Riaz has been a key player in Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Riaz’s journey in cricket started at a young age when he was scouted for his talent in fast bowling. He honed his skills and quickly made his way through the ranks, representing Pakistan in various age-group tournaments. His exceptional performances caught the attention of selectors, and he eventually made his international debut on the big stage.

Making his Test debut against England at The Oval in 2010, Riaz announced his arrival with a bang. In a memorable performance, he took 5 wickets for 63 runs, becoming the ninth Pakistani bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul on debut. Among his victims were renowned batsmen like Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott, and Kevin Pietersen. This stellar performance solidified his position in the national team.

However, Riaz struggled to maintain consistency in Test cricket, having poor tours of New Zealand and West Indies in 2011. As a result, he was dropped from the Test side, highlighting the challenge of finding a balance between pace and consistency.

In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Riaz has been a wicket-taker but has also been prone to leaking runs. His most memorable ODI performance came during the World Cup semi-final against India in Mohali. He took an impressive 5 wickets for 46 runs, dismissing the likes of Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni. Although his efforts were commendable, Pakistan couldn’t secure a victory. Despite his occasional high-impact performances, his economy rate remains a concern.

Over the years, Riaz has proved to be a vital asset for Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. His ability to generate pace and extract bounce from the pitch makes him a formidable bowler. He has often been tasked with breaking partnerships and providing breakthroughs when needed most.

Off the field, Riaz is known for his fierce determination and dedication to the game. He constantly works on his fitness and skill set, striving to improve and contribute to the team’s success. His passion for the sport is evident in his playing style, and he continues to evolve as a cricketer.

As he progresses in his career, Riaz aims to overcome the inconsistency that has plagued his performances. He aspires to become a reliable bowler who can consistently trouble the best batsmen in the world. With his raw talent and potential, Riaz has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Pakistan cricket.

Wahab Riaz is an accomplished left-arm fast bowler who has made significant contributions to Pakistan cricket. His ability to generate pace and his knack for taking crucial wickets has earned him a place in the national team. Although consistency remains a challenge, Riaz’s unwavering determination and passion for the sport make him a player to watch out for in the coming years.

Wahab Riaz career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 27 41 5 306 39 8.5 727 42.09 0 0 32 5 5 0
T20Is 36 18 6 154 30* 12.83 123 125.2 0 0 10 7 6 0
ODIs 91 66 15 740 54* 14.5 849 87.16 0 3 55 30 29 0
FC 136 193 31 2675 84 16.51 - - 0 10 - - 41 0
List A 191 129 39 1470 77 16.33 1778 82.67 0 5 - - 59 0
T20s 348 203 77 1700 53 13.49 1308 129.96 0 1 127 74 101 0

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 27 49 5018 2864 83 5/63 7/134 34.5 3.42 60.4 3 2 0
T20Is 36 35 710 971 34 3/18 3/18 28.55 8.2 20.8 0 0 0
ODIs 91 90 4327 4117 120 5/46 5/46 34.3 5.7 36 5 1 0
FC 136 - 23328 12849 441 9/59 - 29.13 3.3 52.8 23 16 5
List A 191 - 8917 8011 260 5/24 5/24 30.81 5.39 34.2 11 5 0
T20s 348 344 7433 9350 413 5/8 5/8 22.63 7.54 17.9 5 3 0

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