Wahab takes hat-trick in nine-wicket haul

Wahab Riaz, the Pakistan left-arm fast bowler, took a hat-trick in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and finished with career-best figures of 9 for 59 against Lahore Ravi to boost his chances of a recall for the one-day series against South Africa.

Riaz, 27, last played for Pakistan 11 months ago in the Asia Cup but is having a productive first-class season with 48 wickets in 12 matches so far. He was selected for recent tour of India but was not included for any of the one-day internationals.

Lahore Ravi had made a solid start to their innings with an opening stand of 70 before Riaz started to make his mark. He first dismissed Abid Ali with penultimate ball of his ninth over and returned for this 10th over to claim a hat-trick. He dismissed Ahmed Shahzad (29) - who was caught by Usman Salahuddin at first slips - and then bowled of Adnan Akmal and Waqas Ahmed with his next two balls.

In the 41st over of the innings Imran Ali prevented Riaz fron taking another hat-trick after Mohammad Salman and Emmad Ali had fallen to successive ball. Ravi crumbled up at 153 all out in 48.1 overs with Shalimar 121 for 1 in reply at the close.

Riaz hoped his performance would make a difference when it comes being in contention for Pakistan. "I am working hard and never let my hopes down," he said. "I am heading in the right direction bowling hard and keeping myself in best shape."

Riaz took a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against England, at The Oval, in 2010 and collected his first ODI five-wicket bag in the World Cup semi-final against India.