Just In | Wahab Riaz Retires From International Cricket

image-llrpsyjjWahab getting emotional after calling the day off [AP Photo]

In a significant development, veteran Pakistani seamer Wahab Riaz has announced his retirement from international cricket. Regarded for his pace and aggression, the left-arm seamer represented Pakistan in 154 international matches, scalping 237 wickets across formats. 

Wahab Riaz Career, Stats & Records

Born in 1985, Riaz made his international debut as a 23-year-old in an ODI match against Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura in February, 2008. Following an impressive outing in the game, the bowler was preferred for a T20I series against Bangladesh, where he scalped a single wicket in two overs. 

After appearing sporadically in the setup, he chose the biggest stage to announce his arrival, recording a sensational fifer in the 2011 World Cup semifinal against arch-rivals India. 

However, his form dipped following the event, as the emergence of Junaid Khan and the resurgence of Mohammad Amir prevented him from getting a longer rope in Pakistan’s white-ball setup. 

Despite being inconsistent with his line and length, Riaz had a few memorable on-field moments, the prominent ones being his battle with Shane Watson and a match-winning cameo against Afghanistan in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup editions, respectively. 

Marred by injuries and inconsistent form, he featured in 154 games for Pakistan, with the last one being a T20I against New Zealand back in 2020. After being ignored by the selectors, Riaz has been active as a panelist and analyst in pre-match shows.