Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz retires from international cricket

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on June 3, 2019. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)

• Riaz made international debut in one-day international against Zimbabwe in 2008
• He took 83 wickets in 27 tests, 120 wickets in 91 ODIs and 34 wickets in 36 T20s

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz retired from international cricket on Wednesday but will continue to play franchise cricket.

“Stepping off the international pitch,” the 38-year-old wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding: “After an incredible journey, I’ve decided to retire from international cricket. Big thank you to PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), my family, coaches, mentors, teammates, fans, and everyone who supported me.”

Riaz, a left-arm fast bowler, made his international debut in a one-day international against Zimbabwe in 2008 but had to wait for more than two years before making his test debut against England at the Oval in 2010 in which he took 5-63 and became the ninth

Pakistan bowler to take five wickets in a debut test.

He took 83 wickets in 27 tests, 120 wickets in 91 ODIs and also took 34 wickets in 36 T20s but wasn’t considered for international games since playing a T20 international against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2020.