Playing For Pakistan More Important Than 'Central Contract': Wahab Riaz

Wahab Riaz has been a match-winner for Pakistan and contributed to the best of his ability. His spell against Australia opener Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals is still afresh in the minds of cricket fraternity. At his best, Wahab Riaz has done a world of good for his national team.

Riaz will be turning 35 this month. He is in the twilight zone of his career and has shifted focus on the limited-overs format. The veteran made his last appearance in Tests in 2018. The absence of senior fast bowlers in the national team has cost Pakistan dearly, which is also assumed to be one of the reasons behind his central contract snub for 2020-21 season.

Wahab Riaz: I want to represent Pakistan, getting contract in up to the board

Wahab Riaz is unfazed by the contract snub by his national cricket board. He is set his sights on performing well for Pakistan in white-ball cricket and that remains his sole aim. Riaz also said getting contract or not is up to the board to decide.

“I am fit and bowling well and I want to represent Pakistan in white ball cricket so my aim is to play for my country. Not getting a central contract is up to the cricket board,” Riaz said in an interview.

One of his fine performances came in 2011 World Cup where he picked up a five-wicket haul against arch-rivals India but it was not enough to help his side clinch victory in the semi-finals.

Riaz has regularly plied his trade in franchise T20 leagues around the world, with his last appearance coming in the PSL earlier this year. He has picked up 83 wickets in Test, 115 in ODIs and 30 in shortest format.