WACA : Pace, bounce and Wahab Riaz

[MenInG]

Given all the talk about being a bouncy pitch which will aid pace, would it not be stupid to ignore Wahab?

Wonder if Pakistan will opt for playing with a winning squad or go for Wahab for extra firepower...

 

[JibranAnsari]

Wahab is due a 10 rpo match , I wouldn't play him.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Last 10 matches , 7 wickets at 74.14 per wicket and ER of 6.2


Averages 256 against england
118 against newzealand
and 20 against west indies.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Personally wouldn't play him as I think Hassan has performed really well and earned more chances.Can only learn more if given exposure.

 

[saeed5646]

Wahab is due a 10 rpo match , I wouldn't play him.

wahab vs asad i would definitely play wahab over him because our spinner hafeez and malik will be less

effective on waca pitch so why not go for extra bowler rather than a player who is clueless while batting

 

[street cricketer]

Wahab cheetah bowling on the WACA pitch would be a great sight to see.

 

[JibranAnsari]

wahab vs asad i would definitely play wahab over him because our spinner hafeez and malik will be less

effective on waca pitch so why not go for extra bowler rather than a player who is clueless while batting

No I would take chances with Asad , no need to make the tail long at the expanse of giving away freebies.

 

[saeed5646]

No I would take chances with Asad , no need to make the tail long at the expanse of giving away freebies.

if asad scores 30 of 50 he will book his placed for next odi and then he and azhar batting together in 4th odi

what a sight it should be

 

[SL_Fan]

Mohammad Hafeez hinted that Pakistan’s XI in tomorrow’s match could be unchanged from the side that defeated Australia three days ago, which means there will be no place for pacer Wahab Riaz.

“We are happy with the team’s combination,” he said. “We haven’t yet had a chance to look at the pitch, but we have some idea about what team combination will be tomorrow.”

Link

 

[Convict]

Given all the talk about being a bouncy pitch which will aid pace, would it not be stupid to ignore Wahab?

Wonder if Pakistan will opt for playing with a winning squad or go for Wahab for extra firepower...

You've missed the game MIG.

All this talk about pace and bounce on the WACA pitch is what they do before every game to con people to buy tickets and watch another flat track.

 

[Pete Rose]

Haha. I think it's part Pavlovian conditioning and part urban myth that drives pakistan cricket to think fast pitch means fastest bowler will be successsful.
Never mind the rubbish figures our pacers have historically had in Australia.
I would go as far to say that including wahab in place of hasan especially would seal the match in Australia's favor

 

[Pete Rose]

You've missed the game MIG.

All this talk about pace and bounce on the WACA pitch is what they do before every game to con people to buy tickets and watch another flat track.

Messes with the heads of the Pakistani players as well. Bowlers start bowling short of length rather than pitching it up even further and batsmen are waiting on the back foot

 

[MRSN]

Haha. I think it's part Pavlovian conditioning and part urban myth that drives pakistan cricket to think fast pitch means fastest bowler will be successsful.
Never mind the rubbish figures our pacers have historically had in Australia.
I would go as far to say that including wahab in place of hasan especially would seal the match in Australia's favor

yeah our obsession with pace will never end. Quality of bowling matters even if it is bowled at 135 kph.

 

[JibranAnsari]

if asad scores 30 of 50 he will book his placed for next odi and then he and azhar batting together in 4th odi

what a sight it should be

A sight for sore eyes indeed.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Keep the pace attack as it is.

 

[waleed88]

I would go for Wahab in place of Hassan Ali.. Hassan is a good bowler but bowls too many slower ones, he is short so won't be able to extract bounce from this wicket..

 

[waleed88]

I think the thinking was to specifically bring Irfan because of the bounce he will extract.. now you gotta goto your next big exponent of bouncy tracks in Wahab.. Wahab enjoys bowling on these kind of wickets too, and he was our best bowler in test matches.. also remember 2015 World Cup?

 

[Boom boom legend]

I would drop Asad and play Amir, Hassan, Wahab and Junaid. End of the day, shafiq is not good enough in ODI and will likely contribute nothing to the team. If we are going to win the match it will be down to our bowling attack, so may as well make it as strong as possible.

 

[Syed1]

Can we end the Wahab chapter once and for all?

He has only been detrimental to the team's cause. I hope and pray that Wahab has played his last match for Pakistan. What good is his pace if he is going to be dispatched to all parts?

 

[Boom boom legend]

Can we end the Wahab chapter once and for all?

He has only been detrimental to the team's cause. I hope and pray that Wahab has played his last match for Pakistan. What good is his pace if he is going to be dispatched to all parts?

Easy to say but then you have to look at the alternative. If Wahab does not play tomorrow, then Shafiq will. I would rather play with a pumped up Wahab on a pitch that suites him rather than a timid Shafiq who will add unnecessary pressure whilst he is batting.

 

[Syed1]

Easy to say but then you have to look at the alternative. If Wahab does not play tomorrow, then Shafiq will. I would rather play with a pumped up Wahab on a pitch that suites him rather than a timid Shafiq who will add unnecessary pressure whilst he is batting.

Wahab going at 10 rpo is worse than Shafiq score 15(30). Wahab is also completely useless with the bat.

 

[MRSN]

I think the thinking was to specifically bring Irfan because of the bounce he will extract.. now you gotta goto your next big exponent of bouncy tracks in Wahab.. Wahab enjoys bowling on these kind of wickets too, and he was our best bowler in test matches.. also remember 2015 World Cup?

Was really waiting for someone to bring this up..

Wahab got the most expensive ODI figure by any bowler in England not on UAE graveyards. He's a terrible bowler with only one weapon pace. There is no line and length and there is no thinking in his bowling. I would rather play an extra batsman than play him.

 

[MRSN]

Also don't forget the Aussie batsmen love pace. They spend their lives playing fast bowlers in their domestic cricket. It's not a big deal for them. Unless you have got some variety i.e swing and variations which Junaid,Amir and Hassan have in their bowling.

 

[Boom boom legend]

Wahab going at 10 rpo is worse than Shafiq score 15(30). Wahab is also completely useless with the bat.

Maybe on a flat wicket he would get smashed to all parts but if the pitch has bounce then he can be an asset in this game. Also if Shafiq plays we will be a bowler lite.

 

[Syed1]

Was really waiting for someone to bring this up..

Wahab got the most expensive ODI figure by any bowler in England not on UAE graveyards. He's a terrible bowler with only one weapon pace. There is no line and length and there is no thinking in his bowling. I would rather play an extra batsman than play him.

People have different sets of rules for their favourites and for cricketers they don't like. They rip apart Amir even when he picks up 1 or 2 wickets, yet want a guy who is averaging nearly 80 in his last ten matches to be brought back.

 

[Boom boom legend]

Was really waiting for someone to bring this up..

Wahab got the most expensive ODI figure by any bowler in England not on UAE graveyards. He's a terrible bowler with only one weapon pace. There is no line and length and there is no thinking in his bowling. I would rather play an extra batsman than play him.

Not when that extra batsman is Shafiq who in my opinion cannot get out of test mode when he is playing.

 

[Syed1]

Maybe on a flat wicket he would get smashed to all parts but if the pitch has bounce then he can be an asset in this game. Also if Shafiq plays we will be a bowler lite.

We have Amir, Junaid, Hassan, Imad, Hafeez and Malik. 2 left arm fast-medium, 1 right arm medium, 1 left arm spin, 2 off-spin. 6 bowling options and completely diverse ones too. What bowling light are you talking about?

Wahab averages nearly 80 in his last 10 matches the bulk of which have been played in England and NZ.

 

[Boom boom legend]

We have Amir, Junaid, Hassan, Imad, Hafeez and Malik. 2 left arm fast-medium, 1 right arm medium, 1 left arm spin, 2 off-spin. 6 bowling options and completely diverse ones too. What bowling light are you talking about?

Wahab averages nearly 80 in his last 10 matches the bulk of which have been played in England and NZ.

Wahab is a specialist bowler, 3 of those you mentioned are not. This is a perfect pitch for Wahab, there is no reason not to play him. If he is getting smashed then its not a problem as we have many other options, but if he does well then it could potentially have a massive impact on the result. The reward is far greater than the risk, and besides if he doesn't play, like I said Shafiq will and we know how that is likely to end up.

 

[Syed1]

Wahab is a specialist bowler, 3 of those you mentioned are not. This is a perfect pitch for Wahab, there is no reason not to play him. If he is getting smashed then its not a problem as we have many other options, but if he does well then it could potentially have a massive impact on the result. The reward is far greater than the risk, and besides if he doesn't play, like I said Shafiq will and we know how that is likely to end up.

The same team is playing the next match, and rightfully so. Can't have passengers like Wahab in the side.

 

[yasir]

Not when that extra batsman is Shafiq who in my opinion cannot get out of test mode when he is playing.

You have to play extra batsmen, playing seven bowlers is too much and foolish...Shafiq gets his final Odi, unless he makes a match winning knock, then there will be headache for the team... I would not mind that at all

Its between Hasan and Wahab, for now, Wahab would have hard time, getting in...Other two (Amir and Juniad) are must to clamp down Warner, Khawaja and Head at top, leftys are working well against left loaded top order!!! - You get two, if one falls

 

[waleed88]

Was really waiting for someone to bring this up..

Wahab got the most expensive ODI figure by any bowler in England not on UAE graveyards. He's a terrible bowler with only one weapon pace. There is no line and length and there is no thinking in his bowling. I would rather play an extra batsman than play him.

I get it, its the most cliche'd thing every, but also people forget we made a hero out of him just because of this spell, if you want to break the hero myth, let him play in ODIs so that we get rid of the myth that he is someone who did that only once, but fails every other time... he will always have the excuse they didn't let me bowl on pitches that favored my type of bowling..

If he fails to perform on a WACA pitch we know the Wahab Riaz ship has sailed, but on current form, he was our best fast bowler in Test Matches.. maybe it was fatigue that didn't let him perform in the 1st ODI, we forget Amir was rested in the final innings but Wahab still bowled..

 

[super hitter]

for the one's who think he gives of too many runs... He's the kind of player who totally outperforms after a day on the bench cuz he knows how to save his place.

 

[waleed88]

People have different sets of rules for their favourites and for cricketers they don't like. They rip apart Amir even when he picks up 1 or 2 wickets, yet want a guy who is averaging nearly 80 in his last ten matches to be brought back.

Amir was rightfully ripped apart for his form in Test Matches, where Wahab outperformed him..

You can't judge Wahab in ODIs on the basis of just 6 overs, maybe it was fatigue that made him bowl poorly..

Amir was rested for the final 3 days of the Test Match..

 

[Syed1]

Amir was rightfully ripped apart for his form in Test Matches, where Wahab outperformed him..

You can't judge Wahab in ODIs on the basis of just 6 overs, maybe it was fatigue that made him bowl poorly..

Amir was rested for the final 3 days of the Test Match..

Wahab averages nearly 80 in last 10 matches.

Let me repeat for emphasis, Wahab averages nearly 80 in his last 10 matches.

In case you don't get what that means, Wahab has to give away 80 runs to the opposition before he is able to pick up ONE singular wicket.

Wahab cannot even polish Amir's shoes.

 

[waleed88]

Wahab averages nearly 80 in last 10 matches.

Let me repeat for emphasis, Wahab averages nearly 80 in his last 10 matches.

In case you don't get what that means, Wahab has to give away 80 runs to the opposition before he is able to pick up ONE singular wicket.

Wahab cannot even polish Amir's shoes.

That average is inflated because of his 110 in one game, yes he bowled very poorly in England, but he was also MOM in the only t20 game we played in England, so you can't exclude those stats just on the basis of his convenience..

I get it no point in benching Hassan Ali, but Wahab's inclusion can actually tilt the match heavily in our favor, since alot of newbies are in the Aussie side, along with no Starc..

It means you only need to take out Smith and Warner, we have a spin department that is at full strength, if Wahab is bowling bullish short pitch deliveries from one end, and spinners tying them down from the other, it could be a delicious prospect which Hassan Ali won't offer.

Also Wahab, Amir and Junaid for the first time in a side, that has never happened in the past.. what better place to do it than on WACA..

Hassan Ali's place is secure no doubt about that, it will just be a strategic change in my opinion

 

[waleed88]

Even if Junaid is benched for inclusion of Wahab, I wouldn't mind it, but I think its worth a risk giving a shot to Wahab on this wicket.. but it also depends on the pitch and how it plays, if it looks like a beauty with no grass and ball coming onto the bat, no point going for Wahab because that is just Hara-kiri

 

[Syed1]

That average is inflated because of his 110 in one game, yes he bowled very poorly in England, but he was also MOM in the only t20 game we played in England, so you can't exclude those stats just on the basis of his convenience..

I get it no point in benching Hassan Ali, but Wahab's inclusion can actually tilt the match heavily in our favor, since alot of newbies are in the Aussie side, along with no Starc..

It means you only need to take out Smith and Warner, we have a spin department that is at full strength, if Wahab is bowling bullish short pitch deliveries from one end, and spinners tying them down from the other, it could be a delicious prospect which Hassan Ali won't offer.

Also Wahab, Amir and Junaid for the first time in a side, that has never happened in the past.. what better place to do it than on WACA..

Hassan Ali's place is secure no doubt about that, it will just be a strategic change in my opinion

Amir, Junaid and Wahab are all lefties, sorry not happening.

 

[sshakir411]

isn't it a drop in at the WACA now?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Even if there was pace and bounce at the WACA these days to justify picking Wahab you would be living in blind hope that he would:

1) Be able to bowl to one side of the wicket
2) Be able to control his length
3) Be able to keep his front foot behind the line on wicket taking deliveries

That's asking quite a lot when you consider his recent performances.

 

[Haz95]

Interesting title. WACA bar a few has been pretty flat with no pace/bounce in ODIs especially.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

They'll be mad to bring him in and that too for who?

Junaid, Amir and Hasan did well in the last game.

Unless they are thinking of playing 4 fast bowlers instead then that is different, but I would not risk playing Wahab.

Wahab for Shafiq could be?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Don't agree with bringing Wahab back.If he is to be played the only player who can be kicked out is Hassan Ali and I don't want that as he deserves more chances,more exposure to foreign conditions against the big teams.Thats how he will learn.

 

[Bilal7]

Play the four seamers along with the spin of Hafeez and Malik. Shouldn't play Imad Wasim on this track, lest he gets hit around and is discarded by the fickle Pakistani public and suffers a loss of confidence himself.

 

[Pantani]

Three spinners is one too many for Perth imo

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Don't agree with bringing Wahab back.If he is to be played the only player who can be kicked out is Hassan Ali and I don't want that as he deserves more chances,more exposure to foreign conditions against the big teams.Thats how he will learn.

Hasan Ali might not be super quick but he's bowled with good control and intelligence in the death overs. If Wahab is to play the only way he should be considered is in place of one of the spinners, but again, all of them have bowled well so far. Although I think the Aussies might be working out Imad's arm ball before too long.

 

[Bilal7]

Hasan Ali might not be super quick but he's bowled with good control and intelligence in the death overs. If Wahab is to play the only way he should be considered is in place of one of the spinners, but again, all of them have bowled well so far. Although I think the Aussies might be working out Imad's arm ball before too long.

Why would you wait for one of the spinners to get smashed before replacing them? Perth has nothing in it for Imad Wasim and there is no point in playing him if Azhar has recovered.

 

[Cricket World]

My gut feel is that Wahab will go for plenty if he didn't get it right which usually he does

 

[Pete Rose]

Hope they don't play him. His performances nosedive precisely when a lot is expected of him. Shocked that ppl want to replace Hasan who has...what....4 or 5 wickets in two matches.

 

[Pete Rose]

Why would you wait for one of the spinners to get smashed before replacing them? Perth has nothing in it for Imad Wasim and there is no point in playing him if Azhar has recovered.

Why would you assume it's a matter of tom for spinners to get smashed? Get early wickets and everything will be fine. Wahab is a guaranteed one for 80 on this surface

 

[Pete Rose]

They'll be mad to bring him in and that too for who?

Junaid, Amir and Hasan did well in the last game.

Unless they are thinking of playing 4 fast bowlers instead then that is different, but I would not risk playing Wahab.

Wahab for Shafiq could be?

On supposedly the fasterst pitch in Australia, Pakistan decide they can walk on water and go one batsman less. Interesting

 

[Bilal7]

Why would you assume it's a matter of tom for spinners to get smashed? Get early wickets and everything will be fine. Wahab is a guaranteed one for 80 on this surface

Because spinners get smashed at Perth.

 

[Pete Rose]

Because spinners get smashed at Perth.

Sure and Australia was supposed to score 300 in every match so....

 

[Ellipsism]

Because spinners get smashed at Perth.

Spin has played a major role in all BBL games at the WACA and taking into consideration the pitch was used 4-5 days ago for a BBL game spin will also play a role today.

isn't it a drop in at the WACA now?

Yes.

CA is taking about how bouncy the pitch will be to mask the fact that it's going to be a bore fest, with 330 being par.

 

[cricwiz]

Can anyone point to a single spell of Wahab in ODIs where 1. he used his so called "pace and bounce" to take 2-3 wickets in a spell 2. that spell actually helped Pakistan to win the match

Only one single instance?? anyone?

 

[Syed1]

Can anyone point to a single spell of Wahab in ODIs where 1. he used his so called "pace and bounce" to take 2-3 wickets in a spell 2. that spell actually helped Pakistan to win the match

Only one single instance?? anyone?

Sir such a spell doesn't exist

 

[Bilal7]

Can anyone point to a single spell of Wahab in ODIs where 1. he used his so called "pace and bounce" to take 2-3 wickets in a spell 2. that spell actually helped Pakistan to win the match

Only one single instance?? anyone?

You mean against South Africa at the last World Cup?

Where is my prize?

 

[hadi123]

I really hope he doesn't replace Hasan Ali tomorrow. He can replace Shafiq only but he is so over rated and dropping another bowler for him because he has "bounce" will be shooting ourselves in the foot, he hasn't won games for us

 

[cricwiz]

You mean against South Africa at the last World Cup?

Where is my prize?

3 wickets for Irfan and 3 for Rahat as well, while the most crucial wicket of AB Devilliers was taken by a smart bouncer from Sohail Khan - otherwise that match was easily going SA way courtesy AB... so Wahab's wickets in the match are just ok, and nothing match winning.

Indeed his later part of the bowling spells made (nearly) sure that Pakistan is on brink of defeat... Wahab Riaz had wonderful figures of 5 overs for 16 runs for 2 wickets - till that time the spell looked to win Pakistan the match... and than there was the famous brainfade from Wahab Riaz and AB carted him for 28 runs in his next 2 overs before SOhail Khan finally dismissed AB. Had Wahab bowled just one over after that with AB facing, he would probably had taken game away for SA.

 

[Bilal7]

3 wickets for Irfan and 3 for Rahat as well, while the most crucial wicket of AB Devilliers was taken by a smart bouncer from Sohail Khan - otherwise that match was easily going SA way courtesy AB... so Wahab's wickets in the match are just ok, and nothing match winning.

Indeed his later part of the bowling spells made (nearly) sure that Pakistan is on brink of defeat... Wahab Riaz had wonderful figures of 5 overs for 16 runs for 2 wickets - till that time the spell looked to win Pakistan the match... and than there was the famous brainfade from Wahab Riaz and AB carted him for 28 runs in his next 2 overs before SOhail Khan finally dismissed AB. Had Wahab bowled just one over after that with AB facing, he would probably had taken game away for SA.

I'm sorry, I thought you asked me for a spell in which Riaz took two wickets and helped Pakistan win the match. Had he not dismissed Amla and Rous, de Villiers wouldn't have been needed in that match.

 

[cricwiz]

I'm sorry, I thought you asked me for a spell in which Riaz took two wickets and helped Pakistan win the match. Had he not dismissed Amla and Rous, de Villiers wouldn't have been needed in that match.

Same goes for Irfan removing DeKock early and Faf & Miller removed by Rahat Ali. Similarly Irfan second spell where he took out Duminy and Steyn were as crucial because on the other end Wahab Riaz was being smashed by AB to all parts of the ground.

So this spell was not a defining spell where he wins it for Pakistan. He just did his fair contribution, but also helped to nearly snatch the match away - who goes for 28 runs in one over (talking about a 145+ pace bowler here).

 

[kingusama92]

WACA doesn't have pace and bounce now.

I remember watching the match between Australia and India last year. It died out after 3-4 overs.

 

[Bilal7]

Same goes for Irfan removing DeKock early and Faf & Miller removed by Rahat Ali. Similarly Irfan second spell where he took out Duminy and Steyn were as crucial because on the other end Wahab Riaz was being smashed by AB to all parts of the ground.

So this spell was not a defining spell where he wins it for Pakistan. He just did his fair contribution, but also helped to nearly snatch the match away - who goes for 28 runs in one over (talking about a 145+ pace bowler here).

Now you're simply being unreasonable so there is no point in continuing this discussion.

 

[Iddy]

I would not want to play Wahab. He has no control and releases the presure with his spray gun bowling. Wahab has been so inconsistent over the last few years yet still makes the squad somehow! For now keep same 11 and try best. In the future series find young replacement for Wahab and Rahat (also useless).

 

[cricwiz]

Now you're simply being unreasonable so there is no point in continuing this discussion.

Technically you answered the question... but that was never the essence of the question !! My question if u read in full meant that a spell of Wahab where he used his so called "pace and bounce" strategy to win it for Pakistan. Having a batsman caught on 1st ball of your spell to a loosner and than taking another wicket in that spell doesn't count much in that regard.

 

[Boom boom legend]

Can anyone point to a single spell of Wahab in ODIs where 1. he used his so called "pace and bounce" to take 2-3 wickets in a spell 2. that spell actually helped Pakistan to win the match

Only one single instance?? anyone?

2011 World Cup against India.

 

[Idrees1990]

Won't mind Wahab in place of Hasan Ali. This pitch suits him more but he could also be very expensive. 50/50 on this. I wish Irfan was here. It would've been this Lineup especially on this ground : Amir, Junaid, Wahab, and Irfan. Absolute destruction of Aussies.

 

[Boom boom legend]

Although we never won, it was still a spell that turned the game on its head at that point in the game.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's a tough call but if Wahab gets a chance he must take wickets, regardless of going for a few runs.

 

[saeedhk]

Absolute garbage bowler. People are still not getting over that Watson spell. Wahab has been taking a free ride for quite some time now.

 

[Hamza_]

Wahab would be smashed here. Lol at delusions

 

[Idrees1990]

It's a tough call but if Wahab gets a chance he must take wickets, regardless of going for a few runs.

Those runs can be contained if he bowls in stumps and not give any room. He has been playing for a while now but doesn't seem have this discipline.

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

The WACA wicket is not fast anymore, Please DON’T play Wahab

 

[Khan12]

Should be his last odi series a garbage bowler to say the least. Need to get rid of these useless players hafeez, wahab, rahat, shafiq etc.

 

[waqar goraya]

I don't know in what state and form Wahab is in but certainly Pakistan are missing a pacer here.

 

[waqar goraya]

Imad Wasim's first over changed the situation dramatically. There is a long way to go and not that Imad should not have been selected but only 3 seamers at WACA does not make a lot of sense, ostensibly.

 

[waqar goraya]

At the same time i can realize that team selection for this match was not easy. Yes, you need 4 quicks at WACA but you can't drop Asad or Umar after one or two games, similarly Wahab has not been that great either.