KARACHI: Pakistan’s legendary former pacer Shoaib Akhtar, in a tweet, praised fast-bowler Wahab Riaz’s decision to return to Test cricket after the latter expressed his willingness to play the longest format in the upcoming series against England.

The 34-year-old had taken an indefinite break from first-class cricket last year in September to focus on limited-overs cricket. This move had sparked conversations of his retirement from the format. However, the fast-bowler is now part of Pakistan’s extended squad for the tour of England and is likely to feature in the Test side.

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Wahab Riaz has bagged 83 wickets and scored 306 runs in 27 matches (49 innings) in the longer format of the game.

Earlier in a statement, Shoaib Akhtar had said all the Pakistani fast bowlers wanted to play T20 only. They would find even one-day international as a long format, he had added. He had stressed that the Green Shirts needed Amir and Wahab Riaz in Test.