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Happy Birthday Wahab Riaz: Pakistan pacer turns 31

The Pakistan cricket team would be hoping of a similar spell by Riaz to the one he bowled in the quarter-finals of the ICC World Cup 2015 in England.

A lot would depend on how Riaz, who turned 31 on Tuesday, bowls for Pakistan in England © Getty Images
A lot would depend on how Riaz, who turned 31 on Tuesday, bowls for Pakistan in England © Getty Images

Born on 28 June, Pakistan’s senior left arm fast bowler and right handed batsman, Wahab Riaz turns 31 on Tuesday. He is currently in England where his national team will take part in a grueling tour of England and play four-match Test series, five-match One-Day International (ODIs) and one-off Twenty20 (T20I) as well. Riaz has been handling his side’s pace department as he constantly bowls at 90 miles an hour and on his day can be very devastating. Pakistan would be hoping of a god show from their premier pace bowler on their long tour of England as he has the experience and should get assistance from the conditions there. ALSO READ:Pakistan need to adapt to England conditions, says Wahab Riaz

A veteran of 26 Tests and 63 ODIs, he has taken 43 and 90 wickets respectively in both the formats. He was first noticed by everyone one he almost one his side their first ever ICC clash against arch-rivals, India in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, at Mohali. His spell of 5 wickets for 46 runs had the Indians on the mat, but their inability to chase the target set forth by India cost them the match. ALSO READ:Misbah: Aamer can be the best

He is a handy batsman too who can bat and go for slogging if required. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, he played a handy knock of 54 against Zimbabwe in the group stages when his team was struggling and had to win the match to stay alive in the tournament. However, his best spell was against Australia in the quarter-finals of the same tournament. He took a few wickets but his fiery spell against Shane Watson won him accolades from the cricketing fraternity.

His aggression, never-say-die-attitude and pace at which he delivers the ball have been admired by all. A lot depends on how he performs for Pakistan in their tours of England and Australia, later this year, to decide their fortunes for some time.

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