Wahab Riaz aiming to rattle England with pace

Wahab Riaz, the Pakistan left-arm fast bowler, has said he is relieved to be back with the Test side after a difficult time away, where he had to deal with off-field issues. He said he is focusing on building his speed and adding some variations to this bowling during the home series against England in the UAE starting next month.

"I am happy and relaxed to be selected again," Riaz told ESPNcricinfo. "I am esteemed that the PCB and the selectors have kept their faith in me and supported me all the way. It was a nagging situation for me when I was out and it's obviously difficult when you are not part of the national team despite having all the ability to represent them."

Riaz's selection ends his unexplained six-month break from cricket - his last Test was against West Indies in May this year. His name came up during the spot-fixing trial of Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir in a London court in October, as part of a written statement from Pakistan's security manager, Major Khwaja Najam Javed, which was read out by the prosecution.

He was last included in the squad to face Sri Lanka in October but was sent home after an undercover reporter told the jury at Southwark Crown Court in London that agent Mazhar Majeed had told him he had several cricketers working for him and mentioned Wahab's name.

During his isolation from the national squad, Riaz focused on domestic cricket. He had a good season with National Bank of Pakistan in the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, taking 30 wickets in six games at 24.86 and a batting average of 35.50.

"It was tough not being the part of the squad for some time. But I had a firm belief that things will be cleared, I don't want to get into the details," Riaz said. "What I know is that I am ready for yet another stint. I have kept myself fit and in form while playing domestic cricket so I don't think I will face any difficulty."

Riaz, 26, said he is working on troubling the England batsmen with pace. He is among two left-arm seamers in the Test squad, the other being the relative newcomer Junaid Khan.

"I am fully fit and in good rhythm to carry on. I'm focusing on speed and some variation in my deliveries. I am bowling at a speed of 150 kph and useful with the bat down the order," Riaz said.

"Our team has done well through the year but the England series will be a tough one, but we've got a good combination of bowlers. I will do my best to live up to the expectations."