View source for Wahab Riaz

{{EngvarB|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{short description|Pakistani former cricketer (born 1985)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = 
| name                = Wahab Riaz
| nickname            = Viki<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/2326714|title=In pictures: Wahab Riaz celebrates daughter's first birthday|date=25 May 2021|access-date=6 November 2022|work=[[SAMAA TV]]|quote=...Wahab, also known by his nickname Viki...}}</ref>
| image               = Wahab Riaz.jpg
| image_upright       = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = Wahab in 2017
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1985|6|28|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Lahore]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan
| height              = 
| office              = [[Selector (cricket)|Chief Selector]] of [[Pakistan national cricket team]]
| term_start          = 17 November 2023
| term_end            = 10 July 2024
| predecessor         = [[Inzamam-ul-Haq]]
| successor           = 
| office2              = [[Adviser|Advisor]] to the [[Chief Minister of Punjab (Pakistan)|Chief Minister of Punjab]] for Sports and Youth Affairs
| term_start2         = 22 March 2023
| term_end2            = 27 February 2024
| module              = {{Infobox cricketer
| embed              = yes
| country = Pakistan
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Left-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]]
| role = [[Bowling (cricket)|Bowler]]
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2008–2020
| testdebutdate = 18 August
| testdebutyear = 2010
| testdebutagainst = England
| testcap = 202
| lasttestdate = 7 October
| lasttestyear = 2018
| lasttestagainst = Australia
| odidebutdate = 2 February
| odidebutyear = 2008
| odidebutagainst = Zimbabwe
| odicap = 174
| lastodidate = 3 November
| lastodiyear = 2020
| lastodiagainst = Zimbabwe
| odishirt = 47
| T20Idebutdate = 20 April
| T20Idebutyear = 2008
| T20Idebutagainst = Bangladesh
| T20Icap = 24
| lastT20Idate = 20 December
| lastT20Iyear = 2020
| lastT20Iagainst = New Zealand
| T20Ishirt = 47
| club1 = [[Lahore cricket teams|Lahore]]{{efn|Only clubs that Wahab has played for in more than one season are included in this list.}}
| year1 = {{nowrap|2001/02–2018/19}}
| club2 = [[Hyderabad cricket team (Pakistan)|Hyderabad]]
| year2 = {{nowrap|2003/04–2004/05}}
| club3 = [[National Bank of Pakistan cricket team|National Bank of Pakistan]]
| year3 = {{nowrap|2006/07–2014/15}}
| club4 = [[Punjab cricket team (Pakistan)|Punjab]]
| year4 = {{nowrap|2006/07–2014/15}}
| club5 = [[Peshawar Zalmi]]
| year5 = 2016–2023
| club6 = [[Barbados Tridents]]
| year6 = 2017–2018
| club7 = [[Water and Power Development Authority cricket team|WAPDA]]
| year7 = {{nowrap|2017/18–2018/19}}
| club8 = [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cricket team|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
| year8 = {{nowrap|2018/19–2020/21}}
| club9 = [[Central Punjab cricket team|Central Punjab]]
| year9 = {{nowrap|2021/22–2022/23}}

| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 27
| runs1 = 306
| bat avg1 = 8.50
| 100s/50s1 = 0/0
| top score1 = 39
| deliveries1 = 5,018
| wickets1 = 83
| bowl avg1 = 34.50
| fivefor1 = 2
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 5/63
| catches/stumpings1 = 5/–
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2 = 91
| runs2 = 740
| bat avg2 = 14.50
| 100s/50s2 = 0/3
| top score2 = 54[[not out|*]]
| deliveries2 = 4,327
| wickets2 = 120
| bowl avg2 = 34.30
| fivefor2 = 1
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 5/46
| catches/stumpings2 = 29/–
| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 136
| runs3 = 2,675
| bat avg3 = 16.51
| 100s/50s3 = 0/10
| top score3 = 84
| deliveries3 = 23,328
| wickets3 = 441
| bowl avg3 = 29.13
| fivefor3 = 16
| tenfor3 = 5
| best bowling3 = 9/59
| catches/stumpings3 = 41/–
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 191
| runs4 = 1,470
| bat avg4 = 16.33
| 100s/50s4 = 0/5
| top score4 = 77
| deliveries4 = 8,917
| wickets4 = 260
| bowl avg4 = 30.81
| fivefor4 = 5
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 5/24
| catches/stumpings4 = 59/–
| date = 25 July
| year = 2022
| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/wahab-riaz-43590 ESPNcricinfo
}}
}}

'''Wahab Riaz''' ({{langx|ur|وہاب ریاض}}; born 28 June 1985) is a Pakistani former [[cricketer]] and cricket administrator who was chief selector of [[Pakistan national cricket team]] from November 2023 to July 2024.

Riaz was a left-arm fast bowler and a right-handed batsman. He frequently bowled at speeds of around 90 mph (144.8 km/h) and had reached {{convert|96|mph||abbr=}}. His all round performance in [[ICC Cricket World Cup 2015]] earned him worldwide recognition. In August 2018, he was one of 33 players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pcb-central-contracts-2018-19.html |title=PCB Central Contracts 2018–19 |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24301169/new-central-contracts-guarantee-earnings-boost-pakistan-players |title=New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> In September 2019, Riaz announced that he would be taking a break from [[red-ball cricket]] to focus on the shorter formats of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1341520 |title=Wahab Riaz takes break from red-ball cricket to focus on shorter formats |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref> He also served as an advisor to the [[Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan|chief minister of Punjab]] for sports and youth affairs, in the [[caretaker government]] headed by [[Mohsin Raza Naqvi]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/wahab-riaz-to-head-national-men-s-selection-committee.html | title=Wahab Riaz to head national men's selection committee | date=10 January 2014 }}</ref> 

==Early life and family==
Wahab Riaz was born on 28 June 1985 to businessman Sheikh Sikandar Riaz.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 January 2017 |title=Wahab Riaz's father passes away |url=https://arysports.tv/wahab-riazs-father-passes-away/ |work=ARY News |access-date=12 June 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistani Cricketers And Their Wives At Wedding Of Wahab Riaz Sister |url=https://www.healthfasiondesk.com/pakistani-cricketers-and-their-wives-at-wedding-of-wahab-riaz-sister/ |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=Health Fashion |language=en-US}}</ref> He was born into a [[Muslim Gujjars|Muslim Gujjar]] family, originally hailing from [[Gujrat, Pakistan|Gujrat, Punjab]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajendiran |first=Veeran |date=2016-06-28 |title=14 Facts about Wahab Riaz: The merciless pace merchant |url=https://www.crictracker.com/14-facts-about-wahab-riaz-the-merciless-pace-merchant/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=CricTracker |language=en}}</ref> He studied at [[Aitchison College, Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/04/19/wahab-riaz-a-profile/|title=Wahab Riaz: A profile|first=the|last=Newspaper|date=19 April 2011|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref> He is married to Zainab Chaudhary with the couple having three children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2023 |title=Wahab Riaz names his son after his late father Sikandar |url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40032142 |website=Samaa}}</ref>

==Cricket career==
Riaz was chosen in Pakistan's T20I squad for the tri-series in [[Bangladesh]] which also included [[India]]. In his first match against [[Bangladesh]], he finished with 3 wickets for 22 runs in 7 overs. In the next match against India, he took two wickets while conceding 85 runs.

Riaz made his Test debut against [[England]] in the third test of the 2010 series. [[England]] batted first and Riaz took 5/63 in the first innings. In [[Pakistan]]'s first innings, he came into bat at number 3 and scored 27 runs.<ref name="debut">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/426415.html |title=3rd Test: England v Pakistan at The Oval, Aug 18–21, 2010 |access-date=18 December 2011 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Riaz next played for [[Pakistan]] in the Test series against [[South Africa]] in October 2010 after he participated in 4 ODIs. He was selected to play in the first Test later in that series. He took the wickets of [[Graeme Smith]] and [[Hashim Amla]] before suffering a side strain later that day and was later ruled out from the test series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-south-africa-2010/content/story/486862.html |title=Side strain rules Riaz out of South Africa series |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>

In March 2011, Riaz appeared for Pakistan for four matches. He performed notably, taking 5 wickets in the [[India v Pakistan (2011 Cricket World Cup)|Pakistan vs India semi-final]] of the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], where he appeared as a replacement for [[Shoaib Akhtar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/433605.html |title=Wahab Riaz Bowling Score Card |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>

Shortly after the World Cup, Pakistan [[Pakistani cricket team in the West Indies in 2011|toured the West Indies]] for two Tests, five ODIs, and a T20I; Riaz was included in the squad.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-pakistan-2011/content/story/511596.html |title='Chance to establish career'&nbsp;– Intikhab Alam |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=18 April 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> He took two wickets in the T20I, in a losing effort,<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/314/314906.html |title=tt2147 itt199 West Indies v Pakistan: Pakistan in West Indies 2011 (Twenty20) |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> and played in four out of the five ODIs, taking seven wickets at an average of 25.28 and finishing as Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in the series.<ref>{{citation |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=6342;type=series |title=Records / Pakistan in West Indies ODI Series, 2011 / Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> In a report to the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB) on the team's performance in the West Indies, coach [[Waqar Younis]] commented that Riaz had an "average" tour.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/10/waqar-for-grooming-young-captain-for-2015-world-cup.html |title=Waqar calls for grooming of young captain for 2015 World Cup |newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |first=Mohammad |last=Yaqoob |date=9 July 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> In May Pakistan [[Pakistani cricket team in Ireland in 2011|toured Ireland]] for a two-match ODI series, and although Riaz was included in the squad he did not play a match.<ref>{{citation |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=6532;type=series |title=Records / Pakistan in Ireland ODI Series, 2011 / Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/515781.html |title=Misbah replaces Afridi as ODI captain |first=Osman |last=Samiuddin |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref>

After the tour of Ireland, Riaz entered talks with [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]], eventually signing to play for them in county cricket. The club had suffered injuries to their fast bowlers and Riaz was drafted in to bolster their line up.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2011/content/story/517766.html |title=Kent set to sign Wahab Riaz |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=4 June 2011 |access-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> He made his T20 debut for Kent against [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]] on 11 June. He took [[Chris Cooke|Chris Cooke's]] wicket, and guided his team to victory with a final batting score of 32&nbsp;[[not out]], hitting the winning runs after being sent in up the order.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2011/content/story/518733.html |title=Riaz, Northeast steer Kent home |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> On his home debut Riaz took a hat-trick&nbsp;– dismissing [[Chris Taylor (cricketer, born 1976)|Chris Taylor]], [[Ed Young (cricketer)|Ed Young]], and [[Richard Coughtrie]]&nbsp;– and recording figures of 5&nbsp;wickets for 17&nbsp;runs (5/17) against [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]] to help his team to an eight-wicket victory. It was the second time a player had taken a T20 hat-trick for Kent,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2011/content/story/519165.html |title=Riaz and Mahmood star for Kent |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> and was the first time Riaz took five wickets in the format, beating previous best bowling figures of 3/14.<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/316/316152.html |title=tt2243 Kent v Gloucestershire: Friends Life t20 2011 (South Division) |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> During his spell with Kent Riaz took 13&nbsp;first-class wickets at an average of 33.53,<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/24/24381/f_Bowling_by_Team.html |title=First-class bowling for each team by Wahab Riaz |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref> 9 in list&nbsp;A cricket at 13.33,<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/24/24381/a_Bowling_by_Team.html |title=ListA bowling for each team by Wahab Riaz |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref> and 20&nbsp;wickets in t20 matches at an average of 19.85.<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/24/24381/tt_Bowling_by_Team.html |title=Twenty20 bowling for each team by Wahab Riaz |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref>

In August, Riaz was awarded a category&nbsp;B central contract with the PCB; six players were in category&nbsp;A, eight (including Riaz) in B, and nine in C.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/526510.html |title=No central contracts for Afridi, Kamran Akmal |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=9 August 2011}}</ref> When Pakistan toured Zimbabwe in September, Riaz was rested with the selectors taking the opportunity to blood a number of new and inexperienced players.<ref name=inexperienced>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-pakistan-2011/content/current/story/525095.html |title=Raja, Cheema, Sohail included in squad for Zimbabwe |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=28 July 2011}}</ref> Though recalled to the Test squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/534390.html |title=Selectors look to experience for Sri Lanka |first=Umar |last=Farooq |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref> he did not play in the series<ref>{{citation |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/24/24381/Test_Matches.html |title=Test matches played by Wahab Riaz |publisher=Cricket Archive |access-date=21 November 2011}}</ref> and was dropped from the ODI squad to face the same opponents.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/current/story/538982.html |title=Afridi returns to Pakistan ODI squad |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref> Originally rested from the Test team to give younger players a chance,<ref name=inexperienced/> Riaz's hiatus from the squad extended to six months. His continued absence was not explained by the PCB. He was recalled to Pakistan's Test squad to face England for [[Pakistani cricket team vs England in the UAE in 2011–12|three matches in the United Arab Emirates]]. While he was out of the side, Riaz played for the [[National Bank of Pakistan cricket team|National Bank of Pakistan]] in the [[Quaid-i-Azam Trophy]]. Before the squad was announced he had taken 30&nbsp;wickets in the competition at an average of 24.86, and 213&nbsp;runs at an average of 35.50.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-england-2012/content/story/547067.html |title=Riaz relieved to be back after unexplained break |first=Umar |last=Farooq |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=27 December 2011 |access-date=27 December 2011}}</ref>

On 30 August 2016, he conceded 110 runs in his stipulated 10 overs, which is the second worst bowling figure ever in ODI cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-pakistan-2016/engine/match/913657.html |title=110 runs conceded by Wahab |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date= 30 August 2016}}</ref>

In April 2018, he was named in [[Punjab cricket team (Pakistan)|Punjab]]'s squad for the [[2018 Pakistan Cup]].<ref name="squads1">{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/191967-pakistan-cup-one-day-tournament-to-begin-in-faisalabad |title=Pakistan Cup one-day tournament to begin in Faisalabad next week |access-date=21 April 2018 |work=Geo TV}}</ref><ref name="squads2">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/306831-pakistan-cup-cricket-from-25th |title=Pakistan Cup Cricket from 25th |access-date=21 April 2018 |work=The News International}}</ref> In March 2019, he was named in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cricket team|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]'s squad for the [[2019 Pakistan Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/federal-areas-aim-to-complete-hat-trick-of-pakistan-cup-titles.html |title=Federal Areas aim to complete hat-trick of Pakistan Cup titles |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/447913-pakistan-cup-one-day-cricket-from-april-2 |title=Pakistan Cup one-day cricket from April 2 |access-date=25 March 2019 |work=The International News}}</ref> He was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with ten dismissals in five matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12939;type=tournament |title=Pakistan Cup, 2019: Most wickets |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

In June 2020, he was named in a 29-man squad for Pakistan's [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2020|tour to England]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29300707/haider-ali-new-face-pakistan-name-29-man-touring-party-england |title=Haider Ali the new face as Pakistan name 29-man touring party for England |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/haider-ali-named-in-29-player-squad-for-england-tour.html |title= Haider Ali named in 29-player squad for England tour |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date= 10 January 2014 |access-date=12 June 2020}}</ref> However, on 23 June 2020, Riaz was one of seven players from Pakistan's squad to test positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29352210/seven-more-pakistan-players-test-positive-covid-19 |title=Seven more Pakistan players test positive for Covid-19 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref> In July, he was shortlisted in Pakistan's 20-man squad for the Test matches against England.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-shortlist-players-for-england-tests.html |title= Pakistan shortlist players for England Tests |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date= 10 January 2014 |access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29548095/wahab-riaz,-sarfaraz-ahmed-20-man-pakistan-squad-england-tests |title=Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed in 20-man Pakistan squad for England Tests |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref>

He retired from international cricket in August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3636186|title=Pakistan stalwart announces retirement from international cricket|website=Icc-cricket.com|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]]|date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

===2015 Cricket World Cup===
In January 2015, he was named in [[2015 Cricket World Cup squads#Pakistan|Pakistan's squad]] for the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]], after the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB) named their final fifteen-man squad for the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pakistan pick Sohail Khan for World Cup {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21321978/pakistan-pick-sohail-khan-world-cup|access-date=2020-06-08|website=www.espncricinfo.com|date=7 January 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

In Pakistan's opening matches, he took 1 wicket each against [[India national cricket team|India]] & [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]]. He followed by a man of the match performance against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] in which he scored 54 not out off 46 balls and took 4 wickets. Against [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|UAE]], took two wickets. He followed it up by taking three wickets versus [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]. He took three wickets against [[Ireland cricket team|Ireland]] in Pakistan's last group game. In the quarterfinal match against [[Australia]], he took Australian skipper [[Michael Clarke (cricketer)|Michael Clarke]]'s wicket and, then, showed some aggressive interaction by sarcastic clapping and a flying kiss to [[Shane Watson]].<ref>[http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/cricket-news/71159/australia-survive-wahab-riaz-scare-after-pakistan-suffer-batting-implosion Australia survive Wahab Riaz scare after Pakistan suffer batting implosion]. Cricbuzz (20 March 2015). Retrieved on 2015-04-24.</ref><ref>[http://www.dawn.com/news/1171572 That Wahab spell — A nation's faith in pace restored – Sport]. Dawn.Com. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref> [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] fined Riaz for the behavior.<ref>Ihsan, Nzaar. (23 March 2015) [http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/26820/dear-icc-so-what-if-wahab-riaz-blew-a-kiss-at-shane-watson/ Dear ICC, so what if Wahab Riaz blew a kiss at Shane Watson? – The Express Tribune Blog]. Blogs.tribune.com.pk. Retrieved on 2015-04-24.</ref>

Riaz's spell against Australia won him plaudits from numerous cricketers past and present,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fernando|first1=Andrew|title=Wahab v Watson, the fury and the folly|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/853317.html|website=ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2 September 2015}}</ref> with [[Michael Clarke (cricketer)|Michael Clarke]] referring to Riaz's performance 'as good as I've faced in ODI cricket for a long time'<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burnett|first1=Adam|title=High praise for Wahab's 'nasty' spell|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/wahab-riaz-pakistan-australia-shane-watson-michael-clarke-world-cup/2015-03-20|website=cricket.com.au|publisher=Cricket Australia|access-date=2 September 2015}}</ref> and [[Kevin Pietersen]] describing the spell as the "Best spell of bowling by a foreigner on Aussie soil for years".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pietersen|first1=Kevin|title=Kevin Pietersen: Best spell of bowling by a foreigner on Aussie soil for years|url=https://twitter.com/KP24/status/578854510891651073|website=Twitter.com|publisher=Twitter|access-date=2 September 2015}}</ref>

After the match Riaz became a trend on Twitter. [[Brian Lara]] tweeted "I want to meet with this Riaz guy," adding that he would pay the fine imposed on Riaz by the ICC for his verbal altercation with Watson. [[Brian Lara]] was later invited by Riaz to Pakistan via [[Twitter]].<ref name="thenewstribe1">[http://www.thenewstribe.com/2015/03/20/shane-watson-says-lucky-to-escape-wahab-riazs-fiery-spell/ Shane Watson says he was lucky to escape Wahab Riaz's fiery spell]. The News Tribe. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref><ref>[http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/news/239626-world-cup-2015-wahab-riaz-invites-brian-lara-to-pakistan World Cup 2015: Wahab Riaz Invites Brian Lara to Pakistan – World Cup 2015 News]. Sports.ndtv.com. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.geo.tv/article-179138-Wahab-Riaz-invites-Lara-to-Pakistan Wahab Riaz invites Lara to Pakistan | SPORT]. geo.tv. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/sport/26-Mar-2015/wahab-riaz-invites-west-indies-legend-brian-lara-to-pakistan Wahab Riaz invites West Indies legend Brian Lara to Pakistan]. Dailytimes.com.pk. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150323073450/http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket-world-cup-2015/worldcup2015-dontmiss/world-cup-2015-wahab-riaz-apologies-to-fans-for-loss-to-australia/article1-1329292.aspx World Cup 2015: Wahab Riaz apologises to fans for loss to Australia | Cricket World Cup 2015]. Hindustan Times. Retrieved on 24 April 2015.</ref>

===2019 Cricket World Cup===
In May 2019, he was named in [[2019 Cricket World Cup squads#Pakistan|Pakistan's squad]] for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]], after the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB) named their final fifteen-man squad for the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26785619/wahab-riaz-mohammad-amir-asif-ali-included-pakistan-world-cup-squad |title=Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali included in Pakistan World Cup squad |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1223509 |title=Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz named in Pakistan's World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

He was a regular starter throughout the tournament and took 11 wickets in 8 games with an economy of 6 runs per over and a bowling strike rate of 36.3 balls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Live Cricket Scores & News - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019|url=https://www.cricketworldcup.com/teams/pakistan/players/988|access-date=2020-10-21|website=www.cricketworldcup.com|language=en}}</ref>

During the tournament, he became Pakistan's 2nd highest wicket-taker in [[Cricket World Cup|World Cup]] history going past [[Imran Khan]]'s tally of 34 wickets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Cup Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=12&type=trophy|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Cricinfo}}</ref>

===T20 franchise career===
Riaz was allocated as a Platinum category player in the [[2016 Pakistan Super League players draft]]. He was bought by [[Peshawar Zalmi]] for $140,000 for the 2016 competition.

During a group stage match in 2016 against [[Quetta Gladiators]], Riaz had an exchange of words and a physical tussle with batsman [[Ahmed Shehzad]]. The [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] imposed a fine on both the players and issued an official warning to them.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com:80/article/sports/cricket/watch-pakistan-team-mates-wahab-riaz-ahmed-shehzad-involved-in-physical-fight-during-psl/ Wahab Riaz, Ahmed Shehzad involved in ugly fight during PSL; fined heavily by PCB], ''The Indian Express'', 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2017-06-13.</ref>

He was retained by the Peshawar Zalmi for the [[2017 Pakistan Super League|second PSL season in 2017]]. Peshawar won the 2017 competition and, as of the end of the 2017 PSL, Riaz is the leading wicket-taker with 30 wickets in 19 matches.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leading wicket-taker in PSL|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-super-league-2016-17/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=205;type=trophy|publisher=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref> He has played for Zalmi in every edition so far.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Super League Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?id=205&type=trophy |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref> On 18 February 2022 Wahab took his 100th wicket in the PSL for Peshawar, becoming the first player overall to reach the milestone.<ref>{{cite web |title=PSL record: Wahab Riaz becomes first bowler to take 100 wickets |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/399844-peshawar-zalmi-vs-islamabad-united-wahab-riaz-becomes-first-bowler-to-take-100-psl-wickets-record |publisher=Geo News |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref>

In September 2018, he was named in Kandahar's squad in the [[2018–19 Afghanistan Premier League|first edition]] of the [[Afghanistan Premier League]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/afghanistan-premier-league-2018-all-you-need-to-know-from-the-player-draft/ |title=Afghanistan Premier League 2018 – All you need to know from the player draft |work=CricTracker |date=10 September 2018 |access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> In June 2019, he was selected to play for the Brampton Wolves franchise team in the [[2019 Global T20 Canada]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadacricket.com/?p=12755 |title=Global T20 draft streamed live |work=Canada Cricket Online |date=20 June 2019 |access-date=20 June 2019}}</ref> In September 2019, he was named in the squad for the [[Cape Town Blitz]] team for the [[2019 Mzansi Super League]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricket.co.za/news/31555/MSL-20-announces-its-T20-squads |title=MSL 2.0 announces its T20 squads |work=Cricket South Africa |access-date=4 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904081427/https://cricket.co.za/news/31555/MSL-20-announces-its-T20-squads |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 2019, he was selected to play for the [[Dhaka Platoon]] in the [[2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28105555/tamim-iqbal-team-coach-mohammad-salahuddin-dhaka |title=BPL draft: Tamim Iqbal to team up with coach Mohammad Salahuddin for Dhaka |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=18 November 2019}}</ref> In October 2020, he was drafted by the Kandy Tuskers for the [[2020 Lanka Premier League|inaugural edition]] of the [[Lanka Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30148161/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-shahid-afridi-big-names-taken-lpl-draft |title=Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> In May 2021, he was named in the [[St Lucia Zouks]] squad for the [[2021 Caribbean Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saintluciakings.com/news/stlucia-kings-announce-squad-for-cpl-2021 |title=Saint Lucia Kings announce squad for CPL 2021 |work=www.saintluciakings.com |date=28 May 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021}}</ref> In November 2021, he was selected to play for the [[Jaffna Kings]] following the players' draft for the [[2021 Lanka Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/kusal-perera-angelo-mathews-miss-out-on-lpl-drafts-1288554 |title=Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref>

In April 2022, he was bought by the [[Northern Superchargers]] for the [[2022 season of The Hundred|2022 season]] of [[The Hundred (cricket)|The Hundred]] in England.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60477088 |title=The Hundred 2022: latest squads as Draft picks revealed |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 April 2022}}</ref>

In January 2023, while playing for the [[Khulna Tigers]] in the [[2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League]], he became the first Pakistani bowler to take 400 T20 wickets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isam |first=Mohammad |date=21 January 2023 |title=BPL round-up: Pakistan players sparkle, Barishal surge up the table, and Dhaka flounder |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bpl-round-up-wahab-riaz-azam-khan-and-pakistan-players-sparkle-shakib-in-form-1355030 |website=[[Cricinfo]] |quote=You may think Wahab Riaz is past his prime, but the 37-year-old's last two performances say otherwise. He has gone past 400 wickets in T20s, becoming the first player from Pakistan to do so.}}</ref>

===Selector===
Riaz was appointed as the chief selector of Pakistan national team on 17 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wahab Riaz is Pakistan's new chief selector |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wahab-riaz-is-pakistan-s-new-chief-selector-1409316 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 June 2025 |date=17 November 2023}}</ref> In March of the following year, he was demoted as chief selector but remained part of the seven-man selection committee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rasool |first1=Danyal |title=Haris Rauf gets his central contract back |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pakistan-s-rauf-gets-his-pcb-central-contract-back-1426135 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 June 2025 |date=24 March 2024}}</ref> Following the group stage exit at the [[2024 Men's T20 World Cup]], Riaz was dismissed from the selection committee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rasool |first1=Danyal |title=Wahab and Razzaq sacked from PCB selection committee |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pakistan-t20-world-cup-2024-wahab-riaz-and-abdul-razzaq-sacked-from-pcb-selection-committee-1442797 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 June 2025 |date=9 July 2024}}</ref>

==Political career==
In January 2023, Riaz was appointed as sports minister in [[Mohsin Raza Naqvi]]'s caretaker [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab government]] but could not take his oath due to his busy schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2023 |title=Cricketer Wahab Riaz named as Punjab's caretaker sports minister |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/467431-cricketer-wahab-riaz-named-as-punjabs-caretaker-sports-minister |website=[[Geo News]]}}</ref> He was later appointed as the Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab for sports and youth affairs on 22 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wahab Riaz starts duties as adviser to Punjab CM on sports and youth affairs |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/477903-wahab-riaz-resumes-duties-as-adviser-to-cm-on-sports-and-youth-affairs-in-punjab |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Wahab Riaz takes charge as Advisor to CM Punjab on Sports Affairs |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/23-Mar-2023/wahab-riaz-takes-charge-as-advisor-to-cm-punjab-on-sports-affairs |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=The Nation |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Pakistan cricketers who have taken five-wicket hauls on Test debut]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cricinfo|id=43590}}
* [http://www.pcb.com.pk/player-detail.php?action=view_profile&player_id=4442&note=&country_id=&pg=&ipp=&player_name=Wahab%20Riaz&father_name=&district=&region=&school=&address=&club= Wahab Riaz] at [[Pakistan Cricket Board]]

{{Navboxes
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{{Pakistan Squad 2011 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2012 Asia Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2015 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2017 ICC Champions Trophy}}
{{Pakistan Squad 2019 Cricket World Cup}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Riaz, Wahab}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
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