Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
Wahab Riaz at a press conference today:
"PCB enquired if I will be available to play Tests if required on a replacement basis or if needed. I straight away said yes, because my priority is to play for Pakistan.
"Individually, we have been doing training at home. We've been away from the field but we're going early to England and we have a great chance to take advantage and adjust. No player has played cricket since March so this is an opportunity for us and we'll try to win.
"Central contract is a security for the player that he will play for Pakistan. Ultimately, our goal is to play for Pakistan and my ultimate goal is to do that. Unfortunately, I'm not a part of this contract but I will try to perform well for Pakistan for next year.
"When I spoke to PCB last year about not playing Tests, they told me to take some time off and think about it. However, these are unusual circumstances and no one can come and go. Priority is to play for Pakistan and I will do what I can for my country.
"I'm not here to choose the easy way that I can say to PCB that I don't want to play the long format. Pakistan needs me right now and I want to play for Pakistan. I am professional enough to know how to carry myself for what format. I am ready for it and will make myself ready because I will play if required.
"It's a great opportunity for the youngsters and as a group, we need to support them, it will be a difficult tour for them but this is how you build a team. Even if they don't perform on this tour, we still need to support them because they are the future.
"I have also set this example because if I have taken a decision, and then Pakistan needs me, this is how people should think, that Pakistan is the priority. I can share my experiences with the youngsters.
"You have to be very honest and I am not satisfied at all (with my career so far). The beauty of Pakistan cricket is fast bowlers and we have so many of them, that it's difficult to compete. You have to be a consistent performer to play for Pakistan.
"Since 2010-2019, we played in Dubai where there was no support for pacers. Our spinners dominated there and the fast-bowlers played a smaller role.
"I had shared my plans with the board and they gave me advice. The board is asking me to play so I will play if required. Similarly going forward if they ask me to do so and if I see myself and feel I can do so, then I will surely play for Pakistan. We will make a collective decision.
"Since 2016-2020, I played Test cricket in patches. I played a Test against SL and did well, then I wasn't selected for the next tour. Then I played against Australia. Eventually I came back during a tour, this was the previous management's decision. At the time, I thought maybe I am not capable of playing Tests for Pakistan and I'm not good enough any more. So I took that decision and before Misbah and Waqar bhai came, I had communicated all this to PCB. Since I wasn't a part of the Test squad, I felt I should distance myself from it and focus on white-ball cricket. They asked me take time off and not retire completely. Because of that, today I am making myself available as I am required. I didn't take this decision hastily. The circumstances are unusual thus I am ready to play.
"Right now we are talking about this tour, when the next tour happens then we'll discuss more about it.
"I was not part of the Pakistan team for 2 years but I came back for the World Cup and my performances then are in front of everyone.
"Bowlers use saliva for shining the ball but we can use our sweat as well so this is not such a big problem. England vs WI is also going to happen and we will learn a lot from it and see how they take care of the ball, etc.
"Until I have form and fitness and I am performing, I think that's the only criteria to play for Pakistan. Hafeez bhai and Shoaib bhai have served Pakistan cricket a lot. They have departed from two formats. I am still playing white-ball cricket and I have communication with the coach etc., and we know what plans we are in and what plans we aren't.
"Central contract is important but it's not such a big deal for me. It's secondary. If I perform this year, maybe I'll get it again next year. But my priority is to play for Pakistan.
"Allah is the one who gives respect. I will work hard for Tests so that if I am needed, I perform as I did in the World Cup. At some place people know Wahab is a match-winner, he is a performer. So I look at the positive things. The rest is in Allah's hands.
"We know that the tour will be tough, there can be difficulties. But PCB is not just an organization, it's a family and we are the kids of the family. Any family doesn't think about putting each other in danger. PCB has taken everything into account and they have taken everything into consideration, then they decided to play. And still after that, they told the players that they can opt out of it. I am very hopeful that everything will go well as we will be kept in a completely secure channel.
"Sarfaraz is a performer. Sohail Khan has performed whenever he got a chance. Fawad has been outstanding in domestic cricket. Their experience will help us. They will be eager to perform and that's a good sign for Pakistan. When we've played in England during the last few years, we have fared well, even if you look at the CT and the WC where we missed out on NRR. It's always been a good place for Pakistan to play cricket. The youngsters will also be very motivated and ambitious. They can be the x-factor as well. I think it's a good thing that we're going with a good combination. We will try to win the series this time, not draw it.
"I want to set an example that when something is required, you have to do things for Pakistan, not for yourself. The color of the ball doesn't matter and that is why I took this decision and I am ready to play Test cricket if required."
"PCB enquired if I will be available to play Tests if required on a replacement basis or if needed. I straight away said yes, because my priority is to play for Pakistan.
"Individually, we have been doing training at home. We've been away from the field but we're going early to England and we have a great chance to take advantage and adjust. No player has played cricket since March so this is an opportunity for us and we'll try to win.
"Central contract is a security for the player that he will play for Pakistan. Ultimately, our goal is to play for Pakistan and my ultimate goal is to do that. Unfortunately, I'm not a part of this contract but I will try to perform well for Pakistan for next year.
"When I spoke to PCB last year about not playing Tests, they told me to take some time off and think about it. However, these are unusual circumstances and no one can come and go. Priority is to play for Pakistan and I will do what I can for my country.
"I'm not here to choose the easy way that I can say to PCB that I don't want to play the long format. Pakistan needs me right now and I want to play for Pakistan. I am professional enough to know how to carry myself for what format. I am ready for it and will make myself ready because I will play if required.
"It's a great opportunity for the youngsters and as a group, we need to support them, it will be a difficult tour for them but this is how you build a team. Even if they don't perform on this tour, we still need to support them because they are the future.
"I have also set this example because if I have taken a decision, and then Pakistan needs me, this is how people should think, that Pakistan is the priority. I can share my experiences with the youngsters.
"You have to be very honest and I am not satisfied at all (with my career so far). The beauty of Pakistan cricket is fast bowlers and we have so many of them, that it's difficult to compete. You have to be a consistent performer to play for Pakistan.
"Since 2010-2019, we played in Dubai where there was no support for pacers. Our spinners dominated there and the fast-bowlers played a smaller role.
"I had shared my plans with the board and they gave me advice. The board is asking me to play so I will play if required. Similarly going forward if they ask me to do so and if I see myself and feel I can do so, then I will surely play for Pakistan. We will make a collective decision.
"Since 2016-2020, I played Test cricket in patches. I played a Test against SL and did well, then I wasn't selected for the next tour. Then I played against Australia. Eventually I came back during a tour, this was the previous management's decision. At the time, I thought maybe I am not capable of playing Tests for Pakistan and I'm not good enough any more. So I took that decision and before Misbah and Waqar bhai came, I had communicated all this to PCB. Since I wasn't a part of the Test squad, I felt I should distance myself from it and focus on white-ball cricket. They asked me take time off and not retire completely. Because of that, today I am making myself available as I am required. I didn't take this decision hastily. The circumstances are unusual thus I am ready to play.
"Right now we are talking about this tour, when the next tour happens then we'll discuss more about it.
"I was not part of the Pakistan team for 2 years but I came back for the World Cup and my performances then are in front of everyone.
"Bowlers use saliva for shining the ball but we can use our sweat as well so this is not such a big problem. England vs WI is also going to happen and we will learn a lot from it and see how they take care of the ball, etc.
"Until I have form and fitness and I am performing, I think that's the only criteria to play for Pakistan. Hafeez bhai and Shoaib bhai have served Pakistan cricket a lot. They have departed from two formats. I am still playing white-ball cricket and I have communication with the coach etc., and we know what plans we are in and what plans we aren't.
"Central contract is important but it's not such a big deal for me. It's secondary. If I perform this year, maybe I'll get it again next year. But my priority is to play for Pakistan.
"Allah is the one who gives respect. I will work hard for Tests so that if I am needed, I perform as I did in the World Cup. At some place people know Wahab is a match-winner, he is a performer. So I look at the positive things. The rest is in Allah's hands.
"We know that the tour will be tough, there can be difficulties. But PCB is not just an organization, it's a family and we are the kids of the family. Any family doesn't think about putting each other in danger. PCB has taken everything into account and they have taken everything into consideration, then they decided to play. And still after that, they told the players that they can opt out of it. I am very hopeful that everything will go well as we will be kept in a completely secure channel.
"Sarfaraz is a performer. Sohail Khan has performed whenever he got a chance. Fawad has been outstanding in domestic cricket. Their experience will help us. They will be eager to perform and that's a good sign for Pakistan. When we've played in England during the last few years, we have fared well, even if you look at the CT and the WC where we missed out on NRR. It's always been a good place for Pakistan to play cricket. The youngsters will also be very motivated and ambitious. They can be the x-factor as well. I think it's a good thing that we're going with a good combination. We will try to win the series this time, not draw it.
"I want to set an example that when something is required, you have to do things for Pakistan, not for yourself. The color of the ball doesn't matter and that is why I took this decision and I am ready to play Test cricket if required."
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