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.