Wahab Riaz - The X-factor of Pakistan bowling attack

Even now, there is a hue and cry among the Pakistan cricket fans regarding the loss of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and for five years Pakistan have been searching their worthy replacements.

It’s never an easy task to fill in the gap of Amir and Asif and thus, gradually, Pakistan’s bowling attack started to lose that x-factor which their legendary fast bowlers have always provided them since the days of Fazal Mahmood. Pace bowlers did feature in the Pakistan team, but they didn’t offer more than a routine fast bowler.

Pakistani spinners leading the bowling attack

The spinners took over the mantle from the pacers and for a brief period majority of Pakistan’s victories were due to the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdur Rehman and the new sensation Yasir Shah.

 The Pakistani pacers were playing the supporting role to the spinners and it seemed like the legacy of Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis was meeting a sad end. 

Emergence of Wahab

In such a situation, the emergence of Wahab Riaz has been like a breath of fresh air.

Wahab made his debut in 2010 against England in the third Test match at the Oval. He made an impact in that match by bagging a five-wicket haul and became the ninth Pakistani bowler to grab a five-wicket haul in his debut Test.

But, poor form and injuries kept him away from the national duties more often and for a while, it seemed like he might not make it to the national team again.

But Wahab never lost heart and kept working hard in order to make himself available for the Pakistan team. For the last one year, his hardwork is paying rich dividends as at the moment he is one of the most terrorising pace bowlers of the world.

Wahab in the ascendency

During the World Cup quarter-final clash against Australia in Adelaide, Wahab unleashed terror and had Rahat Ali not dropped Watson, Wahab might have ended up as the match-winner on that eventful night in Adelaide.

For a brief period, time stood still and everyone took a back seat to witness one of the most breathtaking spells of high-profile fast bowling in the history of one-day cricket. Not even the likes of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis injected fear in the batsmen’s heart like Wahab did on that eventful night in Adelaide.

The modern day cricket fans, who are more habituated to witness the power of the heavy bats, realized how exciting it is to watch a pace bowler at his brilliant best.

The spell of Adelaide has made Wahab a different bowler. He is hungry for wickets and bowling fast has become one of his passions.

On the second day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle, he dished out yet another exciting contest against Kumar Sangakkara. He bowled short and fats at Sangakkara and his speed was touching 93 mph and in the end forced an edge at slip to win the battle.

Unsettling England

Injuries denied him a chance to play the rest of the Test series, but he was back at his menacing best against England in the UAE.

In the first Test at Abu Dhabi, Wahab scripted his own desert storm. He defied the sultry weather and dead track to make the life of the English batsmen difficult. A dull evening on Day Four became lively due to Wahab’s pace and late movement. Ben Stokes felt the heat of Wahab and it turned out to be another bone-chilling spell of 2015.

But it was the spell in the third morning in Dubai which overshadowed the fireworks of Abu Dhabi. In reply to Pakistan’s 378, England were in a commanding position at 206 for 3.

But suddenly things changed. Wahab bowled nine overs in trot in 36-degree heat with astonishing speed and venom to set jitters in the English batting line-up. Wahab unleashed the beast in him, which accounted for the scalps of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

The England batsmen lost their way as they lost seven wickets for just 36 runs and Pakistan gained an important lead in the first innings.

Ultimately, Pakistan won the second Test in a nail-biting finish and Wahab was named the man of the match. At the end of the match, Joe Root admitted that they were unable to handle the pace of Wahab.

At the age of 30, Wahab Riaz seems to have discovered his inner-strength and will power. He does not bowl like a routine pace bowler anymore, but runs in and delivers each and every ball with enough intent. Wahab’s bowling is not only about pace but along with speed he has added the skills to outweigh the batsmen.

Pakistan have found the x-factor for their bowling department, which they have been searching since Amir and Asif left. Wahab has rekindled Pakistan’s lost glory. He has stoked the fire which had almost extinguished. The Pakistani pace bowling is again exciting to watch, because of Wahab Riaz.

Note: This article has been published in Sportskeeda on 29/10/2017 Wahab Riaz - The X-factor of Pakistan bowling attack

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Day 5 - A dramatic finish!

The stubborn resistance of the English tail

I was saying yesterday about the stubborn resistance of the English tail and I thought that Joe Root might make Pakistan toil hard, but his dismissal in the morning session gave the impression that the sturdiness of the English batsmen might not be evident in this Test match. But wait! The English tail can wag and they did wag to make the final day an eventful one.

Adil Rashid the tragic hero

At 193 for 7, Pakistan were all set for an emphatic win, but like the first Test, Adil Rashid became the men in green’s thorn in the throat. He stitched partnerships with Stuart Broad and Mark Wood to revive the memories of Cardiff and Auckland. It became tough for Misbah’s bowlers to dismiss Rashid and with seven overs remaining of the day, it seemed that Pakistan will be denied by the stubborn resistance of Adil Rashid. But in the third ball of Yasir Shah’s over, Rashid went for a nothing-shot through the covers and fell into the hands of Zulfiqar Babar. Rashid’s hard works went wasted. He was the tragic hero of the day.

What a Test match it was!

What a Test match it was at Dubai! It went down the wire and gifted us enthralling moments and performances to relish. There was Wahab Riaz’s pace, Mark Wood’s trajectory, Yasir Shah’s lethal legspin, Rashid’s brave resistance, Wood’s gallant support, Joe Root’s stroke-play and brilliant display of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. Craps are those who still say that Test cricket is dying. They deserve slap on their faces.    

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Sri Lanka v West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 5 - Sri Lanka seal the series in style

This Test match would have been finished yesterday had the rain not interfered. On the final day, it was just a matter of time for the Sri Lankans to notch up well-deserved victory and script their first Test series win of this year. Darren Bravo’s bat shone, but his 61 runs was not enough to revive West Indies’ hopes. None of the Caribbean batsmen were able to provide him the ideal support and stitch partnerships as they surrendered meekly.

Milinda Siriwardana’s bowling proved effective again in the second dig and as usual there was Herath to set jitters in the opposition’s batting order. Siriwardana has been impressive and I am confident that he will go a long way.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Day 4 - The day belongs to Younis Khan

Younis Khan’s bat shines again

In the morning session Pakistan lost Misbah-ul-Haq, who failed to script hundreds in both innings, but his partner Younis Khan kept on going and added yet another hundred in his glorious Test career. It was his 31^st Test hundred and day by it seems that his appetite for Test hundreds are increasing. 

He has made UAE his happy hunting ground and since last year, Younis Khan has been one of the consistent performers with the bat for Pakistan along with Misbah. He has answered the double-standard attitude of the Pakistan Cricket Board with his bat and of course, people like him are always an inspiration for those who always receive discouragements.

England’s hopes rest on Joe Root   

Joe Root is still out there and fighting hard to keep the English hopes alive. He needs to play a marathon innings and it will not be an easy task against Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah. The first session will be crucial for both the teams. Pakistan will be looking for quick wickets while the English eyes will be on Root. 

Pakistan are the favorites to take a lead in this series, but they should be careful about the English batsmen's stubborn resistance 

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Faisal Caesar

Pakistan v England, 2nd Test, Day 3 - Pakistan are in a commanding position

The Wahab Riaz show in the morning session

England started the day with the hopes of taking a full control over the proceedings, but sadly, their hopes were nipped in the bud. The Pakistani bowlers set jitters in the English batting line-up and inflicted a collapse. The wrecker in chief was Wahab Riaz. His intent remained the same throughout the series and which was nothing but exhibit aggression from the word go no matter who the opposition or how unfriendly the condition is. 

Wahab’s stamina, intent and skill were a sight to watch in the morning session as the English batsmen were undone by the pace and late movement of the Pakistani pacer: Joe Root was dismissed while hitting at a ball which was leaving after moving late, Ben Stokes was undone by extra-bounce and pace outside off while Buttler was dismissed by a change of angle and fast delivery. 

The English innings lost its way and then it was the turn for Yasir Shah to put the last nail in the coffin as he bagged three wickets to bring an end to the English innings.

Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq stabilized Pakistan yet again

Mark Wood posed a threat and Pakistan found themselves in a state of bother at 83 for 3, but as usual, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq stabilized things for Pakistan as they ended the third day in a commanding position. Younis Khan brought up his 9000 runs in Test cricket and surely, words fall short to describe this man from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Sri Lanka v West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 3 - Sri Lanka are the favourites to take a 2-0 lead

The West Indies need 244 runs to level the series, but their start has not been good. Kraigg Brathwaite went out after scoring a scratchy 3 just before tea. The rain poured heavily since then and led to a premature end to the rest of the day’s play.

 Anyhow, the Caribbean bowling hero was Brathwaite whose wicket tally from 81 first class matches is just 3, rose to the occasion to bag a six-wicket haul and surprised everyone.  Batting was not an easy task at P Sara Oval and useful contributions from Angelo Mathews and Milinda Siriwardana helped the Lankans to take a competitive lead. 

It’s not going to be an easy task for the Caribbean batters tomorrow to chase down this total against Dhamika Prasad, Nuwan Pardeep and Rangana Herath. 

Sri Lanka will be looking to script their first Test series win of this year. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar