AucklandPakistan experienced pace bowler Wahab Riaz has challenged the New Zealand top order to keep attacking in the upcoming three match T20 International series.
The home side’s top order – led by Martin Guptill blazing a trail at the top of the innings and backed up by the record-breaking knock of Colin Munro – have been a revelation this summer, but Riaz believed that they are in for a reality check on Friday night at Eden Park.
“It seems like cricket is very easy these days for the New Zealand batsmen,” said the 30-year-old ahead of their first training run in the sun in Auckland.
“They have been hitting the ball really well. But it is going to be a different bowling challenge because we have much more good bowlers than Sri Lanka.
“They lack in experience but we have experience and some quality bowlers as well. It is not going to be easy for them to score runs against us.”
The pace attack of the Pakistan side has a formidable look to it with the height and bounce of Mohammed Irfan, Riaz’s own pace at around 145kmh and the swing of Mohammad Amir who returns to international cricket following a five year ban for spot fixing.
“We will go for the attack,” said Riaz. “We can’t sit back and watch what they will do. So we will attack and see if they can play good cricket. If they can, then hats off to them.”
Riaz said returning to Auckland brought back some good memories of the series win here in 2010 and also their performances at the venue during the ICC Cricket World Cup.
He backed Amir’s controversial inclusion in the squad and felt like his return would also help his own bowling efforts.
“Amir is a great addition for our team again. He is a great fast bowler, he has shown that in the past and it is time for him to do that again. He will do that. With him coming back there is less pressure on me as a bowler, getting his support and also Irfan. It will be a good combination for Pakistan.”
Riaz said a tour to New Zealand was something he always looked forward to.
“[New Zealand] is a good cricketing country, the wickets here are nice for the bowlers and it is nice to be in the sun today. They are playing well in all parts in batting, bowling and fielding. It is going to be a tough tour.”
Riaz, who is consistently bowling at around 145-150kmh, believed that if his team performed well in New Zealand that would bode well for the World T20 in India in March.
“Winning here against the Black Caps would be a great confidence booster for the team. The way they are playing at the moment to get the series win would be a great achievement for Pakistan cricket.”
He said the shorter straight boundaries at Eden Park – that only measure 58m from the centre of the pitch – present a dimension he likened to backyard cricket.
“It feels like we are playing at home because of the boundaries are so short,” he said.
“When you bowl you don’t think too much about the boundaries you think about how you need to bowl here. I have had great success here at Eden Park, and I have great memories of playing here, so we will do our best to reduce the Kiwis score.”
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