Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on the veteran fast-bowler Wahab Riaz for his decision to return to Test cricket for the upcoming England tour next month.
The fast bowler had taken an indefinite break from the longest format of the game last September to focus on the limited-overs cricket after not getting a regular place in Pakistan’s Test side, as the left-arm speedster had played his last red-ball game for the country in 2018.
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The decision didn’t go down well with many and even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wasn’t happy with him as well and subsequently, he was left out of the central contracts for 2020-2021 season.
However, the 34-year-old has now decided to make a return to the Test format and made himself available for the tour of England, and eventually, the pacer has been named in Pakistan’s 29-member squad for the England tour where they will three Tests and as many as T20Is in August-September.
Meanwhile, taking to Twitter on Monday (June 15), Shoaib hailed Raiz’s decision and praises the veteran, who has appeared in 27 Tests, 89 ODIs and 31 T20Is in his injury-hit career so far, for making a return to Tests and keeping his team as a priority while wishing him good luck for the England tour.
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Akhtar wrote on Twitter: “Really appreciate your decision, Wahab Riaz, to make yourself available for Test cricket. Keeping Pakistan first. You will do well in English conditions InshAllah.”
While Wahab didn’t miss out on Akhtar’s message as he was also quick to reply to his post for him to express his gratitude for his words. He tweeted: “Means a lot coming from you chief.”
Noteworthy, Pakistan’s tour of England will get underway on July 30, though the schedule is yet to be announced the opening Test of the three-match Test series will be held at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The remaining two Tests will be played in Manchester and Nottingham followed by three T20Is in Leeds, Cardiff, and Southampton respectively.
