Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz has revealed that his fast bowling workload has been eased with the return of Mohammad Amir after his five-year ban from the sport and the experienced Umar Gul for the tour of New Zealand.
With Mohammad Irfan struggling for form and omitted from the Twenty20 squad and Rahat Ali not being part of the limited overs team, the responsibility on the shoulders of go-to man Riaz had doubled.
But the 30-year-old is pleased that PCB selectors have recalled Amir back into the international fray and given fit-again Gul a chance to make an impact in a stern test for Pakistan ahead of the World T20 in India in March.
“Amir is a great inclusion in the team. He is a great fast bowler, something he has proven in the past and will prove it again. With him, there is less pressure on me because I will be getting his support while senior bowler Umar Gul is back as well,” said Riaz, who has taken 11 wickets in 12 outings for Pakistan in the 20-over format.
“The two bowlers will take the burden off my shoulders and there is Anwar Ali as well in the mix to support us. So it’s a really good combination for Pakistan.”
Wahab Riaz gets ready to bowl under the watchful eyes of Amir in Lahore.
Pakistan will be facing in-form New Zealand, who recently took the Sri Lankans to the cleaners, winning their T20I series 2-0.
The tourists were embarrassed in Auckland as the Kiwis chased down 146 in just 10 overs with Colin Munro weighing in with a record-breaking 14-ball fifty that contained seven sixes, adding to Martin Guptill’s whirlwind 63 moments before.
However, Lahore-born seamer Riaz has warned the hosts that they would not have a similar free license against Pakistan’s bowling attack.
“New Zealand have been playing at their peak recently and it will be a tough tour for Pakistan but having said that, I can say that it will be a different ball game against the quality attack of Pakistan which is much better than Sri Lanka.
Leaving for Newzeland. Remember me in your prayers.
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) January 9, 2016“Right now it seems like cricket is really easy for New Zealand but that could change against us as we’re in no mood to be complacent. Pakistan will play attacking cricket and not sit back and be dictated. We mean business ahead of the World T20 because a series win would be a huge boost for us.”
Sharing his own thoughts about playing in New Zealand, the left-armer admitted his affection for the country and operating in bowler-friendly conditions.
And during Pakistan’s team training camp in Lahore, Riaz revealed he was hitting 145kph regularly on the speed gun and feels his game is in good shape going into the three-match series, which is then followed by a further three one-day internationals.
“Speed is a great weapon for me and I’m working to improve my end product. I know I can bowl over 150kph by getting a better rhythm. However, I’m also looking to produce consistent performances as fast bowlers can go for runs in this format,” he stated.
Leaving for Karachi .. Thank GOD @grantluden is not making me do shuttles. pic.twitter.com/pybKXazAlJ
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) January 9, 2016Asked whether the team would approach this series as a preparatory and experimental one with a big tournament on the horizon, Riaz is adamant Pakistan will be giving everything on the field.
“There is nothing about an experiment; it is an important series for us. This assignment which could set the tone for the mega event. I feel that right now our team has a good balance of youngsters and seniors while Amir certainly completes our bowling attack. He can provide the breakthrough upfront and that is what we were missing – a good new ball bowler who can put opposition on the back foot early in the match.”
