Wahab Riaz Feels Pakistan’s Home Matches Shifting To UAE Was The Major Setback For His Career

Wahab Riaz, a Pakistani bowler, believes that the move of Pakistan’s home venue to the United Arab Emirates was a huge setback for his career. Because the UAE features spin-friendly conditions, it has become a disadvantage for many fast bowlers, according to Riaz. In addition, the left-arm bowler believes he should have played for Pakistan on more occasions than he did.

Wahab Riaz last wore the national shirt in a match against New Zealand in December 2020. Despite Pakistan playing multiple multi-format series in 2021 against nations like Zimbabwe, South Africa, England, and the West Indies, the 36-year-old was not part of the national squad in any format this year.

Wahab Riaz remarked in an interview with PakPassion.net that he should have played for Pakistan more often. The 36-year-old also stated that Pakistan’s home matches being relocated to the United Arab Emirates was a major setback for his international career.

“Yes, I feel that I should have represented Pakistan on more occasions than I did. But the major setback for me was when Pakistan’s home matches had to be shifted to UAE where spinners were needed more than pace-bowlers.

“That period of playing home matches in UAE was detrimental to the careers of a lot of Pakistani pace-bowlers. including myself. But who knows what the future holds, there might yet be a few more international matches to come for myself,” Wahan Riaz said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) prohibited Pakistan from hosting any international games after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team during a bilateral series in Pakistan in 2009. Their home matches were then relocated to the United Arab Emirates, and the country has considered the UAE to be their home ground for the past decade. Pakistan’s status has improved, and they are now able to play their home matches in their own country.

Wahab Riaz has represented Pakistan in 27 Tests, 91 One-Day Internationals, and 36 Twenty-20 Internationals. He has 83 Test wickets and 120 ODI wickets. He has 34 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals. He has not played for Pakistan since December 2020, but he has been involved in the franchise T20 league Pakistan Super League 2021.