Pakistan's emerging left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz has labeled the series he played for Pakistan A against Australia A two years ago as the turning point in his career and one that helped him fast-track his entry into the national side.

Speaking to PakPassion.net, Riaz said, “The great thing about that tour was that we were playing against a talented side. As a result, we also had to ensure that we were performing at a higher level and giving it our best. The thing is, when you are competing against a good side, you have to be more disciplined and you also learn to experiment a little bit.”

“Personally, after playing against a strong opposition like Australia A in their conditions, I started to gain more confidence. I remember that in the very first innings I was able to grab five wickets against them. Consequently, the confidence I gained from that achievement, I never let go of it and have never looked back.”

Riaz entered into the Test team during Pakistan’s 2010 England tour where he made an instant mark by getting a five-for on debut in the Oval Test.

The element of surprise is no longer with him, so the brooding left-armer is now working to develop other tricks of the trade, namely the inswinger.

“I have been working very hard to develop the inswinging delivery and it is coming along. While it will take some time to perfect, I know that once it is perfected I will become a better all round bowler.”

Although working hard on the inswinger, Riaz is sure that it won’t have a negative impact on his stock delivery, the one that goes away  from the right-hander.

“I have talked to Wasim Akram too and he has helped me a lot. I obviously can't develop deliveries and skills in just one month because for so many years, I have been bowling to my strength and sticking to basics. I know that people want to see the inswinger more often and God willing, this will happen. They [the fans] will have to wait just a little while longer.”

Riaz, rested for the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe, got the opportunity to play county cricket for Kent, which, according to him, was “a really good experience”.

“After playing for Kent, with respect to the English conditions, you learn that one has to bowl differently every day, and you have to adjust relative to the wicket and match situation,” he explained.

Riaz is also convinced that he can continue to play in all forms of cricket despite the recent trend among players to limit themselves to one or two particular forms of cricket.

“It depends on your fitness level and your determination - what you want to do. Twenty20 and one-day cricket is basically entertainment cricket, for players who want to play less so they can play for a long time. But in my view, Test cricket is the real deal. I'm working hard on my fitness, and God-willing I will try my best to represent Pakistan in all formats for a long time.”