Wahab Riaz targets repeat of World Cup performance

Left-armer produced one of the most memorable spells of the mega-event in Adelaide last year against Shane Watson

Pakistan left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has said he wants to repeat his performance against Australia in the 2015 World Cup at Adelaide, where he bowled two superb spells.

Wahab removed then captain Michael Clarke and opener David Warner before also troubling all-rounder Shane Watson, who failed to cope with the pacer’s bouncers. The spell was later described by Clarke as “good as I have faced in ODI cricket”.

Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane, Wahab said that performance was the best of his life and he would like to repeat it.



“That was one of the best matches I have ever played,” he said ahead of Pakistan's first Test in Australia starting on Thursday.

“I would love to repeat that performance from the World Cup. I want to bowl like that on this tour. I am going to bowl aggressively, I will bowl short as well; it's part of the plan,” added the 31-year-old, who will be playing his first Test in Australia.

The fast-bowler feels there will be limited opportunities to get wickets, so Pakistan have to attack to create chances.



“You have to attack them – that’s it,” said Wahab. “You cannot hope for them to give you their wicket.”

Despite Pakistan's abysmal record in Australia — which stands at eight defeats and zero wins in 11 series — Wahab remains optimistic.



“Records are meant to be broken,” he said. “We know no Asian country has won a series here in Australia, but we have to take the challenge. To compete with them we have to counter-attack — we have to have that confidence.”

This article initially appeared on sbs.com.au