Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has become the latest high-profile player to sign up for this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast after agreeing to join Essex Eagles.
The left-arm quick will be available for the Eagles’ first seven games, before being replaced by New Zealander Adam Milne.
Riaz, who regularly sends the ball down at 90 miles per hour, has taken 117 Twenty20 wickets at an impressive average of 21.77, and has previously represented Kent Spitfires and Surrey.
Essex head coach Chris Silverwood said: “We are pleased to have Wahab joining the squad for the first half of the NatWest T20 Blast season.
NEW SIGNING | Wahab Riaz joins the Eagles for @NatWestT20Blast! https://t.co/Arc1Yucw4Y #WelcomeWahab pic.twitter.com/yKMyxW57x3
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) February 11, 2016
“He will add a different dimension to our bowling attack, being a left-armer and bowling with real pace.
“We are looking at this competition with confidence; we need to improve our performance from the past few seasons, and drive our limited-overs cricket forward. Wahab’s signing helps us with this.”
Tickets for Essex’s seven home games at the Essex County Ground, Chelmsford, go on general sale on February 22, but supporters can get their hands on tickets now by signing up to the club’s Over & Out e-news to take advantage of a two-week priority period.
Source: ECB