Veteran Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has announced his retirement from international cricket in order to focus more on franchise-based tournaments. Riaz has represented the national side in 27 Test matches, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is and has picked up a total of 237 wickets in International cricket.
Regarding his choice to retire, Riaz remarked that it was a huge privilege for him to have served Pakistan for an extended period. Now, he’s happily embracing a fresh chapter in franchise cricket. His purpose is to attract and motivate the audience while providing a new level of enjoyment to the game.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent Pakistan on the international stage. As I bid farewell to this chapter, I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure in franchise cricket, where I hope to entertain and inspire audiences while competing against some of the best talents in the world,” Riaz said in a press release.
The official statement pointed out that the decision was reached due to Riaz’s strong conviction in the potential of Pakistan’s emerging cricket talent. It’s worth noting that the left-arm paceman marked his international debut against Zimbabwe back in 2008. He started off amazing, taking two wickets while giving just 19 runs in his eight overs.
Wahab made his Test debut in 2010 against England at The Oval. His performance was nothing short of remarkable, securing a stunning five-wicket haul in the first innings and one more in the second session. This outstanding effort helped the visiting team’s success, sealing a victory by four wickets.
However, Riaz’s participation in Pakistan’s international cricket ambitions has been limited in recent times. His most recent international appearance dates back to 2020, during a match versus New Zealand. During this period, he has actively competed in different franchise competitions. Notably, he’s a vital player for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His cricketing engagements extend to the Bangladesh Premier League, and he was even part of the recent edition of the Lanka Premier League.
