Why Wahab Riaz Didn’t Openly Retire From Test Cricket

Wahab Riaz yesterday announced that he will be taking an indefinite break from red ball cricket. So, here is a look at how the left-arm quick has actually called it a day from Test cricket and why has he done that without really making an open announcement.

Read: Why Wahab Riaz Didn’t Openly Retire From Test Cricket

So, Why Does Wahab Riaz Not Want To Play Test Cricket?

Well! There are many possible reasons behind this. The most obvious one perhaps is his age. At 34 years of age most fast bowlers do retire from test cricket anyway. So, Riaz’s case then is no different.

Also perhaps he doesn’t want to be part of Pakistan’s Test squad that meets Australia later in the year. Why? Because that is one place where Pakistani pacers have struggled over the years and some have even lost their place in the side right after the tour!

Pundits still rate good Test cricketers highly and use the format to determine how good a given player is. Nevertheless, the format isn’t lucrative and hence, a lot of international cricketers have actually given up on it during the last few years. Wahab Riaz then seems to be the new casualty.

Read: Pros And Cons Of Having Waqar Younis In Pakistan’s Dressing Room

Then, Why Did Wahab Riaz Not Announce His Retirement Openly?

Mohd. Amir’s Test retirement made way for a lot of criticism and thus, another senior Pakistani pacer opting out of the format would have resulted in more hue and cry. So, by not being too vocal about his Test retirement, Riaz has actually avoided a situation where he would have been condemned right, left and center.

Read: Pakistan’s Limited Overs Captaincy: Why Sarfraz Is Likely To Be Retained

Why PCB Wouldn’t Be Too Amused

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then finds itself in a similar situation that the West Indies cricket is going through at the moment. Board wouldn’t be too amused because the likes of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi etc. might follow the unwanted precedent in due course! Riaz is currently placed in category B of the central contracts however, PCB is likely to review the decision and demote the speedster following his decision to take a break from red ball cricket.