Pakistan's debutant speedster is ecstatic after fifer against England
Pakistan's debutant speedster is ecstatic after fifer against England
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| Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz successfully appeals for a leg-before decision to dismiss England's Stuart Broad on Day One of the third Test at the Brit Oval in London yesterday. pic/afp |
Stuff of dreams
"It's all about dreams. It was my dream and it has come true," Riaz told reporters after stumps.
The 25-year-old Riaz's wickets were mostly top-order batsman with England captain Andrew Strauss, who won the toss, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan all succumbing to the new boy. And No 9 Stuart Broad had made 48, helping Matt Prior (84 not out) to put on an England record 119 for the eighth wicket and rescue the team from the depths of 94 for seven, when Riaz had him lbw with a full-length delivery.
Riaz was picked for this match instead of fellow seamer Tanveer Ahmed despite only taking 14 wickets in Pakistan's first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy last season compared to Ahmed's 85. But Riaz said his experience of A team cricket had helped him make the step up to Test level.
"When your main bowlers are bowling you don't get a chance.
"When you get a chance you have to perform.
"Performing on A tours was a confidence booster. I was the highest wicket-taker in both the series ufffd against Australia A and Sri Lanka A ufffd so that played a role in my selection," explained Riaz, whose previous experience of English conditions before this tour was limited to a season for Midlands club side Meakins.
Both Morgan, who made a century in England's 354-run first Test victory at Trent Bridge, and Pietersen were caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal but Riaz said: "Morgan's wicket pleased me more than any other because he has been scoring all the time, so it was on my mind to get him.
"Next time I want to get 10 wickets!"
Gratitude
Riaz praised the role of Pakistan coach and former world-class fast bowler Waqar Younis, as well as the support of more experienced seamers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif for a five-wicket return on what the debutant said was a "batting paradise."
"The advice Waqar gave me was to do your best," said Riaz, who added Pakistan were looking for a lead of 150 to 200 runs. "Aamer and Asif were boosting me, giving me the confidence I could do it."
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