In a significant announcement on Wednesday, August 16, Pakistan's veteran fast bowler, Wahab Riaz, announced his retirement from international cricket ahead of ODI World Cup 2023. At 38, Riaz, recognised for his blazing pace, has decided to bow out of the international arena but will continue to enthral audiences in franchise cricket leagues across the globe.
With a cricketing journey spanning 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is, Riaz's prowess on the field led him to claim 237 international wickets. The dynamic pacer's last appearance for the Pakistan national side was in December 2020. Notably, he did showcase his cricketing flair in the Pakistan Super League as recently as March of the current year.
Shedding light on his retirement decision, Wahab Riaz remarked, "I have been speaking about my retirement plans for the past two years, that 2023 is my target to retire from international cricket. Now more than ever, I feel comfortable that I have served my country and the national team to the best of my ability."
He further added, "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. I hope to entertain and inspire audiences while competing against some of the world's top cricketing talents."
Wahab's ferocious bowling speed often hovered around 145 kmph. He even clocked a staggering 154.5 kmph during a 2015 World Cup match against arch-rivals India.
While he delivered many match-winning performances in ODIs, his 2015 World Cup spell against Australia remains etched in cricketing lore. This iconic spell was spurred by Australian cricketer Shane Watson's light-hearted jibe at Riaz's batting. An incensed Riaz then launched a blistering bowling attack, sending back key players like David Warner and Michael Clarke, leaving Australia teetering at 59 for 3 in the early overs. Though Pakistan couldn't clinch the win, Riaz's spell became a testament to his fiery bowling capability.
Reflecting on the 2015 World Cup, Riaz expressed his sadness over not securing a win for Pakistan despite his stellar performance. Nevertheless, that tournament further cemented his standing as one of the fiercest fast bowlers in modern cricket.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
