In the post-match press conference after Peshawar Zalmi’s victory over Quetta Gladiators in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Monday, Wahab Riaz expressed his hopes of impressing his new captain, Babar Azam, with his performances in the upcoming tournament. Wahab had been the captain of Zalmi in the previous PSL season but stepped down when Babar was traded into the squad for the eighth season.
Wahab sees the tournament as an opportunity to make a comeback into the national side, led by Babar, and is enjoying himself as a player. He believes that having Babar as the captain puts less pressure on him and allows him to focus on his bowling and execute it well. He hopes to prove to Babar what he is capable of and earn a spot in the national team.
Wahab’s ultimate dream is to play in the 2023 World Cup in India and repeat his heroics from the 2011 World Cup semi-final, in which he took five wickets against eventual tournament winners India. He understands that his performance in the PSL will play a crucial role in his selection for the national team and aims to perform well in different pressure situations. If it is in his fate, he hopes to play in the upcoming World Cup.
