Peshawar Zalmi's Wahab Riaz reacts during the match against Quetta Gladiators on Saturday.
Dubai - The defending champions, after three straight defeats, are second from bottom
Published: Sun 11 Mar 2018, 9:21 PM
Updated: Sun 11 Mar 2018, 11:24 PM
Peshawar Zalmi's hopes of making it to the Playoffs of the HBL Pakistan Super League hangs by a thread.
The defending champions, after three straight defeats, are second from bottom. Now, Darren Sammy's side will play their remaining two matches in Sharjah on Thursday and Friday. They will not only have to win them but also hope for the other results to go their way.
Speaking after the match a disappointed Wahab Riaz said they did not perform as a team.
"We have not performed as a team. If we don't qualify (for the Playoffs) I will say that we did not deserve to be there.
"Obviously being defending champions we wanted to qualify for the Playoffs but now we are in a difficult situation which is such that we have to depend on winning our next two matches."
Zalmi may have under-performed but Wahab Riaz's own form has been outstanding. With 11 wickets from eight innings, he is the second-highest in the third edition after Multan Sultan's Imran Tahir (12).
Riaz has been out of the Pakistan team for quite some time now. "I'm satisfied with my performance in domestic cricket and in the PSL. I've given the selectors of the Pakistan team a reason to select me, whether that happens or not is up to them. I have to do my job. Obviously I want to be a part of the squad. So if it's in my destiny I will make the Pakistan squad."
With not much time left for the 2019 World Cup, Wahab was asked if he would make the team.
"My performances are there for all of you to see. If the Pakistan team needs me they will call me but if they feel they can do without me, or they have better bowlers than me in the World Cup then I wish them well. I will accept my destiny."
clareto@khaleejtimes.com