As Glamorgan welcome their own superstar fast-bowler in Dale Steyn for the NatWest T20 Blast clash versus Essex, they will have to be wary of the visitors’ own international paceman, Wahab Riaz.
Riaz, the 30-year-old Pakistani quick, has 20 international T20s and 69 ODIs to his name, where his left-arm action has proven a lethal weapon for his side.
Though he finished with ordinary figures of 4-0-40-1 in Essex’s opening day defeat to Surrey, Riaz’s pace complements the medium pace of Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate and Jesse Ryder and the spin of Ashar Zaidi. He can also be a destructive hitter lower down the order.
Riaz has appeared for Surrey and Kent in T20 cricket, lining up against Glamorgan last season in the Welsh county’s victory at The Kia Oval.
In that match, Riaz bowled Colin Ingram for 91 and took a sharp catch to dismiss Mark Wallace early on, but his figures of 4-0-45-1 reflected the high-scoring nature of the game.
On signing Riaz in February, Essex Head Coach Chris Silverwood said: "We are pleased to have Wahab joining the squad for the first half of the T20 Blast season.
"He will add a different dimension to our bowling attack, being a left-armer and bowling with real pace.”
Wahab Riaz In Numbers
43 Test wickets in 15 matches
131 T20 career wickets in 115 matches
69 ODIs for Pakistan
8 first-class fifties with highest score of 84
Glamorgan NatWest T20 Blast Matches At The SSE SWALEC
Call 02920 419311 or click here to buy online
Glamorgan v Essex - Wednesday 1 June - 6.30pm – ALL UNDER 17s TICKETS £1
Glamorgan v Hampshire - Friday 3 June - 6.30pm – ALL ADULT TICKETS £10
Glamorgan v Kent - Friday 17 June - 6.30pm
Glamorgan v Surrey - Friday 24 June - 6.30pm
Glamorgan v Sussex - Thursday 7 July - 6.30pm
Glamorgan v Gloucestershire - Sunday 10 July - 2.30pm
Glamorgan v Somerset - Friday 22 July - 6.30pm
Buy in advance & save (prices valid until midnight on the evening preceding each match):
Adult tickets £15 / Under 17s £5 / NUS Card Holders £10 / Family ticket (2+2) £35
On the day prices:
Adult tickets £18 / Under 17s £5 / NUS Card Holders £15
Season tickets:
Adults £60 / Under 17s £10
Group discount:
£12 per ticket for groups of 10 or more when bought in advance
How to buy:
Call 02920 419311 or click here to buy online. Enjoy discounts and avoid queues by buying in advance and collecting on the day.
Hospitality:
Secure the best seats in the house with fine food and drinks on demand. Your package includes:
- Match ticket
- Private table in the Pro-Copy Lounge, our elevated pitch view hospitality lounge in The Really Welsh Pavilion
- Three-course pre-match meal from the kitchen of Executive Chef John Chapman
- Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks
£89+vat per person
Upgrade to a private hospitality box for an extra £10 per person and receive all lounge hospitality benefits plus:
- Private box with balcony seating
- Waiter service
- A Gunn and Moore cricket bat signed by the Glamorgan squad for the lead booker
£99+vat per person
Call 02920 419 310 or email huwmitchell@glamorgancricket.co.uk to enjoy hospitality at The SSE SWALEC.