Azhar Mahmood: “I know we will need him in our next home series against Australia and New Zealand in the UAE”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has made it clear that veteran left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz is still an important member of the national team.

Wahab was left out of the Test squad for the tours of Ireland and England, which left many people baffled as the 32-year-old excelled during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he represented the Peshawar Zalmi and was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 18 victims at an average of 19.11.

Head coach Mickey Arthur also took a shot at Wahab, saying that the pace bowler “has not won us a game in two years”.

However, Mahmood insisted that even though Wahab was overlooked for the tours of Ireland and England, he will remain an integral part of the team’s plans going forward.

“I know a lot of people are talking about why we left Wahab out of the squad for the series, but there is a reason,” Mahmood was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. “We believe he will not be that useful for the team in early English summer as more than pace, we need bowlers who can seam and swing the ball.

“But that does not mean he is not in my [or team’s] plans. I know we will need him in our next home series against Australia and New Zealand in the UAE, where a pacer who bowls at 150 and can reverse swing is of immense importance.”

Meanwhile, Mahmood admitted that he is confident the bowling unit chosen will get the job done during the upcoming two-Test series against England, which begins on Thursday at Lord’s.

“I am confident that we have the kind of bowling attack which can take 20 wickets in every match,” he said. “The likes of Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali and Hasan Ali have already proved what they are capable of.

“Also, I think Mohammad Abbas will do really well because of his recent county stint where he claimed 23 wickets in five matches. Yasir Shah’s absence will be felt, but it’s a great opportunity for someone like Shadab Khan to show his magic in the whites as well.”

During the historic Test against Ireland, who made their debut in the longest format, Amir had to leave the field with a knee injury.

Even though Amir returned and continued bowling, there are concerns about his fitness going into the Test series against England. However, Mahmood made it clear that the 26-year-old is struggling due to fatigue.

“We definitely want him in Tests and I’ve also told him that he should focus on the five-day format as [T20] leagues will come later as well,” he said. “I believe he is actually struggling with fatigue as he came back after a break of five years and a lot has changed since then.

“I know that when you are tired, your wrist movement is not the same. Also, I believe taking part in shorter formats has affected his performance in the Test format, where he is not being able to bowl fuller length to get the wickets.”

When asked why the Pakistan bowling line-up has not lived up to expectations in Test cricket as of late, Mahmood said: “People believe our players are suffering because of shorter format, but I beg to differ. I believe they are suffering because of the pitches in domestic cricket which are helpful for fast bowlers.

“The problem with such tracks is that the team is bowled out inside 50-60 overs, which means bowlers do not get the chance to come back and bowl their second spell. For that reason, it becomes difficult for them to bowl 25 overs at the international level.”