LATEST POLL

Are you in favor of the concessions made by the PCB to allow Imad Wasim to reverse his decision to retire from international cricket?
  • Votes: (0%)
  • Votes: (0%)
Total Votes:
First Vote:
Last Vote:
 

Exclusive Interviews

Is Mike Hesson becoming Pakistan's Head Coach? PSL 9 Champion Coach in conversation with Saj

In an exclusive interview for PakPassion, the former RCB ...

"There were lessons for everybody at Qalandars to learn, including me": Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza, in his exclusive interview with PakPassion, reflects ...

"For Shaheen Afridi’s leadership journey, this result will not be a bad thing": Rassie van der Dussen

Top Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen shares insights ...

"Babar is a role model of Pakistan cricket": Luke Wood

England & Peshawar Zalmi fast bowler Luke Wood joins ...

"In the last game, the spinners took 9 wickets so as a coach, you feel pride for them": Alex Hartley

Former England spinner and spin coach for the Multan ...

“It hasn’t been the overseas pacers that have been impressive, it’s been some of the locals” Ian Pont

Former Essex cricketer and renowned fast bowling coach discusses ...

Wahab Riaz has recently made headlines for Pakistan in the ongoing 2015 World Cup with some startling performances with the bat and ball. He is a key member of the fast improving Pakistan fast-bowling quartet which will soon take on the might of the South African batting machine. In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, the twenty-nine year old fast-bowler spoke about Pakistan's plans to counteract the threat of AB de Villiers, the apparent disadvantage to bowlers of the two new ball rule, his own form with the bat and the ball as well as Pakistan's determination to win the World Cup.
 
 

By Amir Husain (5th March, 2015)

 

PakPassion.net : Pakistan will be playing an immensely important game against South Africa on Saturday. How would you describe the preparations for this match?

Wahab Riaz : The only real objective in our mind is to win this game. We will do what it takes and will be trying our utmost to perform and do our best in this game. The back to back victories against Zimbabwe and UAE were very important for us although preceding those games our output wasn’t that great. However, now the squad is in very good shape and very confident that they can perform well in the upcoming games.


PakPassion.net : Do you see any weaknesses in the South African team that Pakistan could exploit?

Wahab Riaz : Of course, we have planned out the bowling strategy in our team meetings and we have confidence in the same abilities that have won us recent games, to take us through this game as well. Our fast-bowlers have been bowling really well and we will put in the effort needed to hopefully bowl out South Africa for a low score.


PakPassion.net : As a fast-bowler how will you look to combat the threat of a superbly confident batsman like AB de Villiers?

Wahab Riaz : There is absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that he is a destructive batsman but you have to remember that it takes just one good ball to get him out. The effort will be to bowl as fast as we can and also to create pressure on him by bowling dot balls. We can then take advantage of any mistakes he makes due to the frustration of not being able to score against us. All I can say is that the overall plan is to bowl with an attacking mind-set. I believe that attack is the best form of defence against South Africa.

AB de Villiers is a destructive batsman with a huge array of shots in his repertoire. But sometimes, playing too many types of shots can cause one’s downfall as well. Obviously, it is only on the day of the game that we will find out how much pressure we can bring to bear on him but our objective will be to attack him as much as we can. We believe that we have the bowlers with the ability to handle any batsman in the world and this game will hopefully be no exception.


PakPassion.net : Your own form has been excellent in this World Cup. Whether it’s bowling, batting or fielding you seem to be on top of your game. This must be a source of great satisfaction for you?

Wahab Riaz : This is really due to the hard work we have all done in the past few weeks. I would credit the whole team management, especially Mushtaq Ahmed who is really encouraging and helping me work and practice hard. This tournament is as big as it gets and every team member is trying to do the best they can and stay in good shape. It is no secret that as we win matches, our confidence will improve as well. This is possibly also the reason for my good form which is really based on hard work and I can only thank the Almighty as the results of that hard work are for all to see.


PakPassion.net : Contrary to popular perception, the two new balls being used in the World Cup seem to have brought hardly any advantage to the bowlers. What is the reason for that?

Wahab Riaz : Yes, it is quite obvious that there isn’t any real advantage of the two new ball rule for bowlers. But then, you can always gain some advantage if you can pick one or two early wickets with the new ball. There is also very little reverse swing to be extracted due to the prevalent conditions. However, we have now worked on our new ball skills and Yorkers as well as deliveries of varying pace. In short, varieties in one’s bowling can get you success in these playing conditions.


PakPassion.net : It appears that 300 plus scores in one day cricket have become the norm nowadays. How difficult is it for a bowler when playing conditions seem to favour the batsmen to this extent?

Wahab Riaz : It’s always tough to bowl with the fielding restrictions for Pakistan or indeed any team for that matter, as is obvious from the results of some of the games. It seems that bowlers are regularly conceding a minimum of around sixty runs regardless of how good they are. So yes, there is a bit of a disadvantage for the fast-bowlers as these types of conditions seem to be favourable to the batsman. Coming back to the two new ball rule, I would say that the rule is in place and we as bowlers have to work hard to make good use of it. Yes, it’s tough but we will continue to work hard to overcome any disadvantage. Yes there are some big scores around but as a bowler if you want to stop teams from scoring huge totals, just simply make sure you hit the stumps.

PakPassion.net : What innovations can the bowlers bring into their game to combat the creative shot-making by batsmen, such as the Dil-scoop or lap sweeps etc?

Wahab Riaz :The fact is that if you have two set batsmen batting towards the last few overs then they can be very destructive and pose a real danger to any bowling attack. The only real safeguard against this is to eliminate any semblance of predictability from one’s bowling. If you become predictable then the batsman knows exactly what the bowler is trying to do next. In my view, a fast-bowler will only be successful in such conditions if he can try something different such as varying his length or bowling bouncers and regularly take wickets.


PakPassion.net : There is a debate around the proposal to reduce the number of teams in the next World Cup to exclude some associate teams. Where do you stand on this question?

Wahab Riaz : I feel that we should have more teams in this type of tournament. We can see that amongst the associates, Scotland put up 300 plus runs against Bangladesh and gave a tough time to Sri Lanka as well. The same goes for the UAE and look at Ireland who beat West Indies. The lack of experience of playing at this level is the issue for the associates but each associate team brings colour & something different. They should be allowed to take part in future World Cups. They will continue to improve themselves if they play in such high profile tournaments and gain exposure as well.


PakPassion.net : Your recent exploits as a batsman have been very heartening for Pakistan. Do you feel that you have the potential to become a genuine all-rounder?

Wahab Riaz : In today’s game, it has become very important for bowlers to be able to bat well to support the team. As for my own performances with the bat, I am encouraged by the remarks of many people about my talent as a batsman. However, I need to put that talent into action by making good scores on a regular basis. The good news is that I am scoring well and working hard on my batting as well. My hope is that I can score well in each game and add twenty to thirty runs to the score coming in at my batting position. Not only is that good for the team but it is a great way to boost personal confidence and also gives an extra edge to one’s game.


PakPassion.net : Given your good stint with Kent in the past, would you be willing to go back to English County cricket should you get another opportunity?

Wahab Riaz : I will definitely want to return for another stint as that is a time when Pakistan will not be playing any international cricket. There are some negotiations taking place at the moment, and I hope something good will come out of that. County cricket is a great experience and really important for improving one’s bowling as you get to play as a professional in different conditions to home. You can really improve as a cricketer when playing county cricket.


PakPassion.net : The next two games will be similar to playing the final of the tournament and if Pakistan get to the Quarter Finals, then each of the three games can be treated as a final as well. Did you expect the tournament to progress in this way for Pakistan?

Wahab Riaz : We left Pakistan for Australia/New Zealand with only one objective, which was to win the World Cup. There are some crucial and tough games coming up against South Africa and Ireland and beyond, but we have belief in our goals and trust in each other. We will do what we can to win this tournament and bring the World Cup home. We have two finals coming up against South Africa and Ireland, then hopefully three more after that.

Discuss!