Wahab Riaz still far away to be a spearhead, believes Waqar

Karachi [Pakistan], Nov.2 (ANI): Despite Wahab Riaz taking his second five-wicket haul during West Indies' first-innings of the final Test, former Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis believes the left-arm pacer still needs to be more consistent with both accuracy and the ability to take wickets. Riaz's five for 88 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium was his first five-wicket haul since he claimed five for 63 on his debut six years ago. The 31-year-old has managed a total of 61 wickets in 20 matches he played so far, including the ongoing third Test against the Caribbean side. Waqar, however, insisted that Riaz is a much better bowler than his current form and has the ability to pick up more wickets at regular intervals. "When you are fast and in the team as a strike bowler, you are expected to take more wickets and do that more regularly. Riaz has that ability and he's that kind of a bowler who can pick up regular wickets," Waqar was quoted as saying by the Dawn. "But, given the number of matches he has played, he should have taken at least 80 to 90 Test wickets. He's a better bowler than a two-three-wicket one," the former skipper added. The former head coach further called on Riaz not to sit on his past laurels and rather focus on adding more wickets to his tally. "People talk about his effort against Shane Watson in Adelaide or that effort in Abu Dhabi against England last year. He needs to ensure he doesn't sit on those laurels and add more wickets to his tally. Beating the bat isn't enough. We expect more from him and more regularly as well," Waqar concluded. Earlier, Riaz, along with fast bowler Mohammad Amir, was rested for the second Test in Abu Dhabi after having played the series-opener against West Indies as well as recently-concluded three Tests against England.(ANI)