Wahab Riaz has only one five-wicket haul after his debut innings!

[MRSN]

It's amazing that we highly depend on a guy to deliver that not only has no-ball,pitch landing issues but also has been very very inconsistent. Wahab Riaz has been a prominent feature of Pakistan team across all formats for last few years but the guy has failed to deliver match winning spells. His best bowling figure are still noted to be the one when he made his test debut.

He averages close to 34 in test cricket and strike rate 59.
in 2015 Wahab played 7 games picked up only 20 wickets at an average 37 and strike rate 69.
in 2016 he has featured across all our overseas tours conditions helpful for bowlers and yet we see his average close to 35 and strike rate 60. and he is still bowling the same frequency of no balls as he has done in the past.

if I compare him with the likes of Shami,Kumar who have also been consistent feature of their team in last few years, I see their numbers vastly improved. Not only they have better bowling stats but also they have provided breakthroughs in vital times. They have provided wickets when Ashwin and Jadeja were failing to buy wickets. They have looked to improve their bowling whether it's swing or reverse swing. and they have played on much flatter pitches esp this year.

The comparison is there because They are improving with time and Wahab is still the same bowler as he used to be. He bowls short and has pitch landing issues like he had in the past. If he is not going to come into play after 6 years on bowling friendly pitches what is the point of having him?

 

[MRSN]

His ODI stats this year have been even worse. He is averaging 60 and strike rate 60 as well and economy rate of 6. Astonishing figures. A player is supposed to improve with time especially when he becomes the leader of the attack and other bowlers rely on him.

 

[Statsman]

Who would you replace him with? I watched Asif's interview and he said none of the new boys are special.

Just have a look at Pakistan's bowling attack right now and the year these players made their debut in

Wahab Riaz - 2008
Sohail Khan - 2008
Mohammad Amir - 2009

Quite recently we saw Umar Gul make a comeback (albeit temporarily) and we might witness a comeback of Asif who made his debut wayyyy back in 2005.

These players (Wahab, Sohail) are basically ones who had been almost discarded long back when Pakistan's attack was good.
And now this further clearly shows that the management does not have any confidence in the current pool of bowlers (post 2008/9 - from 8/9 years ago) as few of the ones mentioned above have not been performing special at all. Those tried did not favor their case.

This is the same country that produced a Shoaib Akhtar even when Waqar had not even retired. Shoaib was in his playing days when Wahab was knocking on the doors but was not clearly good enough to get a place simply because he is much inferior as a tear away fast pacer. Once Shoaib retired Wahab has had a comfortable stay because those of this breed of bowlers (pace toh pace hai yaar) who are knocking on the doors are not even as good as Wahab.

 

[Slog]

Who would you replace him with? I watched Asif's interview and he said none of the new boys are special.

Just have a look at Pakistan's bowling attack right now and the year these players made their debut in

Wahab Riaz - 2008
Sohail Khan - 2008
Mohammad Amir - 2009

Quite recently we saw Umar Gul make a comeback (albeit temporarily) and we might witness a comeback of Asif who made his debut wayyyy back in 2005.

These players (Wahab, Sohail) are basically ones who had been almost discarded long back when Pakistan's attack was good.
And now this further clearly shows that the management does not have any confidence in the current pool of bowlers (post 2008/9 - from 8/9 years ago) as few of the ones mentioned above have not been performing special at all. Those tried did not favor their case.

This is the same country that produced a Shoaib Akhtar even when Waqar had not even retired. Shoaib was in his playing days when Wahab was knocking on the doors but was not clearly good enough to get a place simply because he is much inferior as a tear away fast pacer. Once Shoaib retired Wahab has had a comfortable stay because those of this breed of bowlers (pace toh pace hai yaar) who are knocking on the doors are not even as good as Wahab.

The new breed are all malnourished trundlers who max out at 135kph. Pakistan always had one or two 140+Kph average speed bowlers lurking around in the background and right now it's embarrassing that Wahab is the only one in the country who can regularly average that. Amir is thereabouts but average speed might just be a touch under that. In the PSL last year A 36 year old Mohammad Sami was the third fastest bowler after Wahab and Tait.

Ofcourse pace is not be all and end all but I think in our case it's always been a good indicator of the overall stocks.

Now coming into bowling skills it's worrying that the bowlers who top domestic stats are either the oldies who have been shown to be just about decent at international level or they are youngsters who the experts and coaches do not seem to rate for whatever reason. And why should they when in the past you have seen international failures like Hammad Azam dominating the charts.

It's seriously depressing that the players who are most expects to make a return are old players.

 

[Statsman]

The new breed are all malnourished trundlers who max out at 135kph. Pakistan always had one or two 140+Kph average speed bowlers lurking around in the background and right now it's embarrassing that Wahab is the only one in the country who can regularly average that. Amir is thereabouts but average speed might just be a touch under that. In the PSL last year A 36 year old Mohammad Sami was the third fastest bowler after Wahab and Tait.

Ofcourse pace is not be all and end all but I think in our case it's always been a good indicator of the overall stocks.

Now coming into bowling skills it's worrying that the bowlers who top domestic stats are either the oldies who have been shown to be just about decent at international level or they are youngsters who the experts and coaches do not seem to rate for whatever reason. And why should they when in the past you have seen international failures like Hammad Azam dominating the charts.

It's seriously depressing that the players who are most expects to make a return are old players.

Exactly! For the bold part - Asif mentioned how the new ball in domestic does crazy things and even average medium pacers make hay. 130-135 KPH is the best speed to make use of such conditions and consequently you'll churn out most of your pacers in this range. The selectors eventually do not trust these bowlers as they do not expect them to excel in International cricket. Case in point, like you mentioned Hamad Azam who averages 21 FGS. I remember how a lot of posters were all ga ga over him until he made his debut and looked ultra ordinary as a bowler.

 

[pakpukhtun]

The thing about the wahab situation is we need his speed and bouncers but he is too expensive and erratic. If we had good bowlers on the bench with speed he would only play on tracks that he specializes in which are really low

 

[Abdullah719]

Exactly! For the bold part - Asif mentioned how the new ball in domestic does crazy things and even average medium pacers make hay. 130-135 KPH is the best speed to make use of such conditions and consequently you'll churn out most of your pacers in this range. The selectors eventually do not trust these bowlers as they do not expect them to excel in International cricket. Case in point, like you mentioned Hamad Azam who averages 21 FGS. I remember how a lot of posters were all ga ga over him until he made his debut and looked ultra ordinary as a bowler.

Pitches with low bounce are perfect for bowlers that bowl line and length medium pace with a low quality ball that moves around enough to trouble the batsmen.

Bowlers rarely really feel the need to bend their back and bowl fast.

 

[Mamoon]

We can talk about him being the enforcer and someone who roughs the batsman up, but the fact is that he is simply an awful bowler and always will be.

 

[QalandarFan]

It's not just Wahab it's our whole Bowling Lineup Pakistan is just not producing great fast bowlers like they use to which is sad.

I think it's safe to say that our batting is becoming our strength and our bowling is becoming our weakness. At least in Tests.

 

[Ami]

Wahab is your decent 3rd seamer in my honest opinion...if he isn't then why doesn't he share the new ball with Amir?

Sohail, Rahat and Imran too are your average 3rd seamers, aka the likes of Bird, Wagner etc, nothing more.

Amir, although not a world beater, needs someone just as good to partner him...in the absence of 'special quality' I can only think of Junaid.

I think, Junaid can discover his form given time...you don't just become rubbish over night especially if you've a proven track record.

Outside bets ...Hassan Ali and Mir Hamzah.

 

[Walidad]

Why wahab Riaz

Looks like Wahab riaz is attached with national team by Samadbond.
Wahab riaz is not constint s8nce his debue. He is playing international level since 2010 still not d3vloped control or sw8ng just pace . Even why he is odi t20 he get a rare w8ckets . He is useless pak should look for another one .

HE HAS NOT MIND HE IS LOOKS LIKE MINDLESS BOWLER
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS

IF YOU AGREE WITH ME THEN WHO SHOULD REPLACE HIM SPECIALLY IN TEST

 

[nitrous]

Useless bowler with no brains. One spell of his life has made everyone think he is the big thing!

I just can't understand why they can't drop and pick someone young?

Wahab is as bad as they come. Yes he has the pace, just lacks a brains on how to bowl.

 

[New Yorker]

Exactly! For the bold part - Asif mentioned how the new ball in domestic does crazy things and even average medium pacers make hay. 130-135 KPH is the best speed to make use of such conditions and consequently you'll churn out most of your pacers in this range. The selectors eventually do not trust these bowlers as they do not expect them to excel in International cricket. Case in point, like you mentioned Hamad Azam who averages 21 FGS. I remember how a lot of posters were all ga ga over him until he made his debut and looked ultra ordinary as a bowler.

Why is it that macho posters who fetishize speed and obsess about aggression are so deathly scared of testing even a single new bowler?

Hamad Azam was selected as an allrounder not bowler. The last proper pacer to be inducted into the ODI squad was Hasan Ali.

Who immediately showed he is better than both Wahab and Rahat.

Which is not surprising because he has performed a lot better than them in domestics.

So this past year we were 1/1 in picking new ODI pacers.

Rather than speculate baselessly on whether domestic bowler A or B can do well at the next level lets try him and find out.

It is not the end of the world if Wahab and Rahat are rested for 10 games.

 

[LegendAli]

5 Wicket haul against India in 2011 Semi Final and the spell against Watson are the only two things this guy is known for, should be shown the door ASAP.

 

[shah_1]

Our bowling stocks are awful

No talent

So I'm afraid Pakistan cricket team will stick with Wahab for years to come

 

[AlphaFighter]

Too much attention is being given to Wahab. We have far bigger problems with Rahat, Sohail Khan. Wahab atleast when he does get his 1-2 wickets in the game, gives the team a very crucial much needed break through. Our bowling would look much more toothless if we didn't have bounce and pace.

 

[Haroon786]

Too much attention is being given to Wahab. We have far bigger problems with Rahat, Sohail Khan. Wahab atleast when he does get his 1-2 wickets in the game, gives the team a very crucial much needed break through. Our bowling would look much more toothless if we didn't have bounce and pace.

Nope, all 3 are problem markers for the team. Wahab, even more so, because of his no-ball issue which results in vital momentum being handed to the opposition in the form of appraised wickets and a demoralised fielding unit.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Exactly! For the bold part - Asif mentioned how the new ball in domestic does crazy things and even average medium pacers make hay. 130-135 KPH is the best speed to make use of such conditions and consequently you'll churn out most of your pacers in this range. The selectors eventually do not trust these bowlers as they do not expect them to excel in International cricket. Case in point, like you mentioned Hamad Azam who averages 21 FGS. I remember how a lot of posters were all ga ga over him until he made his debut and looked ultra ordinary as a bowler.

So domestic pitches like Lahli are not going to benefit Indian cricket since that seems to be the approach BCCI is taking?

 

[LegendAli]

Too much attention is being given to Wahab. We have far bigger problems with Rahat, Sohail Khan. Wahab atleast when he does get his 1-2 wickets in the game, gives the team a very crucial much needed break through. Our bowling would look much more toothless if we didn't have bounce and pace.

LOL if you think Rahat and Sohail are bigger problems than Wahab, honestly?

 

[Sadevdesai]

.... but .... but he is an ATG after that one spell to Shane Watson !!! Why doesn't that wipe out all his ills !!!!

 

[hitthestump]

Come on yaar. Wahab has so much potential!!

 

[Justcrazy]

Aamir , Junaid , Sadaf , hassan , Ghulam Muddassar should be bowlers for Test matches.

Sohail Khan , Amad Butt should come in OD and 20 20

 

[Pak_lover6]

He is a spray gun and a total waste. I don't know why people talk about no more talent in the country. We just have'nt tried anyone yet. We only tried Hassan Ali in ODIs and he has shown promise. I do believe there are better bowlers than Wahabs and Rahats in our domestic. So stop whining about no talent and give some deserving bowlers chance.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

60 no balls in 11 test matches in a year says a lot itself.

 

[Bilal7]

And he took a four-for three innings ago so get off his back. He's not Waqar Younis but he's a good bowler who has won or at least, tried his best to win us crucial matches and even series.

 

[shah_1]

And he took a four-for three innings ago so get off his back. He's not Waqar Younis but he's a good bowler who has won or at least, tried his best to win us crucial matches and even series.

A GOOD bowler doesn't average 35, he is mediocre at best.

Our bowling quality has dropped so badly that Wahab, Imran Khan, and Rahat are our best picks .

 

[JaDed]

So domestic pitches like Lahli are not going to benefit Indian cricket since that seems to be the approach BCCI is taking?

Atit Sheht or Dinda aren't INTL class and these guys got 5fers there,maybe its good for batsmen at best.

 

[Bilal7]

A GOOD bowler doesn't average 35, he is mediocre at best.

Our bowling quality has dropped so badly that Wahab, Imran Khan, and Rahat are our best picks .

He's definitely inconsistent, thus the average of 35. However, mediocre bowlers don't come up with the performances he does.

 

[Drreddymd]

What performances he has given that is soo good? Even ishant sharma has given worldclass performances in lords,srilanka series.

 

[Drreddymd]

The hype surrounding pakistan bowling is unreal.atleast pak batting is showing its worth in atleast one innings of test match.what is there to show about pak bowling performance other than insane hype based on hypothetical potential of amir,wahab and yasir

 

[Drreddymd]

Everybody is blaming second innings collapse but what about the filth that is bowled by pak bowling who could not contain aus scoring let alone take wickets.the batsmen atleast did their job in the first innings and if bowlers reciprocated it it would be a boring draw

 

[waleed88]

To be honest, he didn't get his full chance, he only became a regular after 2014 in the Test Match side.. he's had a couple of 4'fers in between then, and was man of the match vs England in UAE 2nd test match.. not a big Wahab fan, but he's bowled some amazing spells on flat UAE wickets..

 

[waleed88]

However he is way more underrated than he's made out to be.. Junaid Khan doesn't get the hype Wahab gets.. but he's a much more sensible Test bowler than Wahab

 

[Drreddymd]

I agree regarding junaid khan.he was very good and worth the hype at that time as he took 5 fers in placid tracks.but i never understand the hype regarding wahab

 

[Zak_Fan]

Poor man's Umesh Yadav. Should be out of Pakistani team ASAP.

 

[Xoib]

Poor man's Umesh Yadav. Should be out of Pakistani team ASAP.

eventhough he averages lower then Umesh. Both are rubbish and need to be displaced by better seamers.

 

[Xoib]

why is Amir getting a free pass since his return he averages 38

 

[AlphaFighter]

why is Amir getting a free pass since his return he averages 38

Talent

 

[Xoib]

Talent

he no longer is a talent, he was hyped because he was doing things at 18 what people start doing at 25 now he is 25 and can't do things he did at 18 ,his pace is down his reverse swing is non existent cannot bowl a mean bouncer and struggles to move the ball after 3 overs, where is the talent?

 

[shortbread]

Wahab is one of the most sensible professionals in the Pakistan side. Almost 9 years of service to the side there was never a question of his discipline, fitness or character. Except when he but shezad in his place, which you can blame no sensible man for doing!

There are people who have carried out far more despicable actions, ashamed the nation, team and sport, come back, have very little returns to show for it and are still kept on a pedestal!! Can someone make sense of this?!!

Wahab is the fittest and fastest bowler in Pakistan. He is a safe fielder and would give his all even after bowling a tiring spell. He knows what to do with a bat and has contributed more than once. When the team is surrounded by idiots in various guises, this is one man who has kept to himself and never seeks attention, on field, off field or on social media!

Who exactly will you replace Wahab with?! Umar Gul? Asif? Oh please, I tell you Asif will be a bigger disappointment than Amir. Apart from completing a disciplined harmless spell he is useless as a fielder, pointless as a batsman and is too unfit to survive the rigours of 5 day cricket.

Wahab is an all heart bowler, he is one Misbah can turn to produce a wicket and everyone knows Wahab gives it his all. He is not a docile line length bowler, there is no lack of trundlers in the cricketing world.

He is Pakistan's fastest and most aggressive bowler, there is no replacement in sight who can come close to him.

 

[Hasan123]

Lacks a bowling brain and very very inconsistent. In recent big games he's bowled some decent spells but he's overrated by some Pakistan fans. Most realize he gives it his all but not quite good enough.

 

[Sin Nombre]

eventhough he averages lower then Umesh. Both are rubbish and need to be displaced by better seamers.

Exactly. Pace with no control is pointless.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

If he plays in Sydney and doesn't perform than it's time to seal his Test Career forever.

Don't give players Tests needlessly.


Atif Jabbar/Altaf Ahmed Khan/Mohammad Irfan/Ahmed Jamal can do slightly better job than him plus they can improve aswell.

[MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] can Atif Jabbar have better Test numbers than Malinga/Fidel ?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

If he plays in Sydney and doesn't perform than it's time to seal his Test Career forever.

Don't give players Tests needlessly.


Atif Jabbar/Altaf Ahmed Khan/Mohammad Irfan/Ahmed Jamal can do slightly better job than him plus they can improve aswell.

[MENTION=141557]Chief Destroyer[/MENTION] can Atif Jabbar have better Test numbers than Malinga/Fidel ?

Yes, Atif is the second coming of Shoaib.

 

[Saj]

Lack of consistency
Technical issues
Lack of a plan
No-ball problems

Remove/improve upon the above and we may have a half-decent bowler.

 

[MRSN]

Lack of consistency
Technical issues
Lack of a plan
No-ball problems

Remove/improve upon the above and we may have a half-decent bowler.

six years is a long time. He's no kid. We can't even say he will get better with time. Should just look for better alternatives. He is helpless.

 

[MRSN]

a guy doesn't have any idea where the ball lands or his front foot lands and keeps gifting short pitch bowling,zero variety in his bowling. I'm sorry but Pakistan is going no where with these kinds of bowlers. He may take one or two wickets but rest assured he will go for plenty of runs and there might be high chances he may have bowled a no ball when he finally gets a wicket.

 

[New Yorker]

Wahab is one of the most sensible professionals in the Pakistan side. Almost 9 years of service to the side there was never a question of his discipline, fitness or character. Except when he but shezad in his place, which you can blame no sensible man for doing!

There are people who have carried out far more despicable actions, ashamed the nation, team and sport, come back, have very little returns to show for it and are still kept on a pedestal!! Can someone make sense of this?!!

Wahab is the fittest and fastest bowler in Pakistan. He is a safe fielder and would give his all even after bowling a tiring spell. He knows what to do with a bat and has contributed more than once. When the team is surrounded by idiots in various guises, this is one man who has kept to himself and never seeks attention, on field, off field or on social media!

Who exactly will you replace Wahab with?! Umar Gul? Asif? Oh please, I tell you Asif will be a bigger disappointment than Amir. Apart from completing a disciplined harmless spell he is useless as a fielder, pointless as a batsman and is too unfit to survive the rigours of 5 day cricket.

Wahab is an all heart bowler, he is one Misbah can turn to produce a wicket and everyone knows Wahab gives it his all. He is not a docile line length bowler, there is no lack of trundlers in the cricketing world.

He is Pakistan's fastest and most aggressive bowler, there is no replacement in sight who can come close to him.

I believe he was implicated in fixing by the tape evidence in the No ball scandal.

Any bowler who can average less than 34 @ SR 59 can replace him.

 

[MRSN]

Amazing how close is his front foot for being a no ball and he still gets warning for pitch landing.

 

[MRSN]

Must have forgot to add how crap fielder he is.

 

[Ellipsism]

And Amir has none and never will.

 

[last_knight]

Bowling equivalent of Umar Akmal.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Trash bowler.

 

[CricFan2012]

So inconsistent, please just stick with T20s, we need something new, maybe give ruman a chance if he keeps it up

 

[phoenix363]

The Kamran Akmal of our bowling. Looks great when on song, and has some very good spells....but over the course of a long career has been extremely mediocre.

Can't wait until we get rid of this trash.