Wahab hopes to not let down supporters in England

Pakistan left-arm pacer believes both batsmen and bowlers are delivering at the moment

Pakistan left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz hopes the team does not let down country’s nationals who live in England and will support them throughout their tour.

"We're expecting a lot of support because there are a lot of Pakistani communities here in the UK, they're always here to support us and hopefully we won't let them down this time,” said Wahab.

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old believes the Test team has done well in the past and both batsmen and bowlers are delivering at the moment.

"We've been doing really well in the last three or four years as a Test team,” he said. “We have capable batsmen such as Younus Khan, Misbahul Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq so we have a great batting line-up. And as a bowling unit we've got Mohammad Amir back and we have the likes of Sohail Khan who I think will be very effective here as well."

When asked if he ready for the England challenge, Wahab said: “I'm really looking forward to it. I'm ready for it and I know it's going to be a big challenge against England. It should be exciting, we've got a really good team and we will put up a great fight against England.”

Moreover, the pacer also praised the England team.

"I think the English team are all dangerous, you cannot name any of the batsmen or the bowlers specifically but we know how capable they are with the ball and the bat,” he said.

'Amir will perform really well'

While the English media is focusing on Amir’s return, Wahab thinks the fellow left-arm pacer is strong enough to face the music in England.

"Very excited to have Mohammad Amir back in the Test squad, he's not been a part of the Pakistan team for a long time but now he's back,” he said. “I'm looking forward to seeing him and hope he can do really well for Pakistan and make his name again. Mentally, he's very strong. He's learnt a lot of things, he's very skilful as well - he knows about his bowling and has a lot of knowledge about cricket."

And Wahab backed the 24-year-old to succeed in England. “I think he will be able to perform really well. He's got ability but what matters is how he performs here so I'm really looking forward to it,” he concluded.

Wahab Riaz was interviewed by Sky Sports