Pakistan's pace bowler, Wahab Riaz, has announced his retirement from international cricket on August 16, 2023. The 38-year-old left-arm fast bowler has made this decision in order to shift his focus towards participating in T20 leagues across the globe. Throughout his career spanning from 2008 to 2020, Wahab Riaz represented his country in 27 Test matches, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20 Internationals, accumulating a total of 83, 120, and 34 wickets in these formats respectively.
Expressing his sentiments in a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Riaz conveyed, "Having traversed an incredible journey, I have chosen to bid adieu to international cricket. I extend heartfelt gratitude to the PCB, my family, coaches, mentors, teammates, fans, and all those who stood by me. The future promises excitement in the realm of franchise cricket!"
Embarking on a new chapter in his career, Riaz conveyed his enthusiasm for the upcoming venture in franchise cricket. He articulated, "As I conclude this chapter, I am thrilled to embark on a fresh adventure in franchise cricket. My aspiration is to captivate and motivate audiences while contending against some of the most exceptional talents worldwide," highlighting his dedication to the sport.
Wahab Riaz holds the distinction of being the ninth Pakistani bowler to secure a five-wicket haul in their debut match, a feat achieved against England where he secured figures of 5/63 at The Oval. One of his memorable performances was during the 2011 World Cup semifinal against arch-rivals India in Mohali, where he claimed a significant five-wicket haul, despite the outcome being unfavorable for his team.
However, Riaz's most iconic display came during the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup, when he unleashed a series of short-pitched deliveries that posed a formidable challenge to the Australian batsmen, most notably unsettling Shane Watson. This episode remains etched in cricketing history as a testament to Riaz's skill and impact on the game.
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