Wahab Riaz’s trademark wicket-taking celebrations could be a thing of the past with the Peshawar Zalmi pacer revealing he has been asked to tone it down by his coach.
The all-time leading wicket-taker in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history has become synonymous with his moustache swirling and sword slashing celebrations but it seems like it has not gone down well with his coach.
“My coach has told me to lay off this celebration style and, in fact, all the bowlers have been told to avoid excessive celebrations after taking a wicket,” the Peshawar pacer was quoted as saying by SportStar.
“I am back to a clean shave and avoiding taking a wicket with my slitting the throat celebration as I also realised it could lead to criticism and unnecessary controversies. I didn’t look very nice after I saw it on screen myself,” he added.
The veteran pacer has once again played a vital role for Peshawar Zalmi with 15 wickets and counting in the ongoing PSL edition. The left-armer was in his elements on Wednesday as well in the Qualifier against Quetta Gladiators where he picked up two wickets in his side’s narrow 10-run loss.
Despite his impressive displays, they haven’t been enough to earn Wahab a recall to the Pakistan ODI side with young Mohammad Hasnain being preferred instead for the upcoming series against Australia. The 33-year-old, however, remains unperturbed although he has not given up hopes on a World Cup berth just yet.
“That I very disappointed would be an understatement but I have learnt to take such things in my stride and just keep on doing my best and that is what I am doing in the PSL,” Wahab said.
“I know I still have plenty of cricket left in me and I can make an impact in the World Cup but rest is up to the selectors. But, yes, I would like to know where my future stands.”
Wahab will now hope to impress the Pakistan selectors when Peshawar Zalmi lock horns in the second PSL Eliminator on Friday at Karachi. The 2017 champions will book their third PSL final appearance in four years should they emerge victorious in the clash.