Wahab Riaz Has Made Himself Available For The Test Series Against England: Misbah Ul Haq

Wahab Riaz, Pakistan left-arm fast bowler, has made himself available for the Test series against England, Pakistan head coach +chief selector Misbah Ul Haq said on Friday.

According to the former Pakistan captain, he had a telephonic conversation with Wahab Riaz, who assured him that he will be available for selection if required in the upcoming Test series against England.

Last year, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz had dealt a body blow to the PCB. While Amir announced his retirement from the longest format of the game, Riaz took an extended sabbatical from red-ball cricket.

“Yes I spoke to Wahab about this and he said if needed, he will be available to play the Test matches in England,” Misbah Ul Haq told PTIw

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Wahab Riaz has been named in the 29-member squad

Misbah reckoned that the reason behind choosing 10 fast bowlers and four spinners in an extended touring party is because the fast bowlers will take the maximum amount of time to get back into rhythm, considering there has been a break of over three months due to Covid-19.

“Hopefully the five weeks training camp and practice games we have in England before the first test will allow all the bowlers to settle down and also get used to new SOPs like not using saliva to shine the ball, avoiding celebrations after taking a wicket etc. It is not easy for a pace bowler, in particular, to get back into rhythm after three months of not playing cricket or nets at all,” Misbah said.

Wahab Riaz, who has played a total of 27 Tests has not featured in a five-day game since competing against Australia in the United Arab Emirates back in 2018.

Earlier this year, both Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were not handed central contracts by the Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB]. Pakistan will lock horns against England in a three-match Test series which will be followed by as many Twenty20 Internationals. They will be without the services of Mohammad Amir in T2oI cricket as well, as the left-arm pacer has pulled out of the tour since his wife is expected to give birth to their second child in August.

Wahab Riaz, however, has been named in the 29-member squad for the full tour, starting next month.

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