Ramiz Raja criticized Pakistan’s cricket team and management after their 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi.
Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has heavily criticized the Pakistan cricket team and its management following their 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh on the dramatic final day of the first Test in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Raja pointed out a series of errors by Pakistan, starting with poor team selection.
“Firstly, there was a mistake in team selection. You were without a spinner. Secondly, the reputation based on which we rely on our fast bowlers is finished. This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions. Then the secret was out to the world that the only way to counter this line-up was to attack,” Raja said on his YouTube channel.
Raja added that the pace and skills of Pakistan’s bowlers have declined, contrasting them with the Bangladeshi bowlers, who appeared more effective. “The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets. Since Pakistan did not have an out-and-out fast bowler on that track, even Bangladesh, with that line-up, stood tall against our pacers with speeds around 125 to 135kmph,” added Raja.
Raja also questioned Shan Masood’s captaincy and his own struggles with the bat. “Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions things are tougher and the Pakistan team couldn’t win a series there. But you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well,” remarked Raja.
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However, after the match, Shan Masood acknowledged the need to learn from their mistakes. “We have to look upon the mistakes we’ve made collectively and work on them,” Masood said, apologizing to the nation and expressing hope for a better performance in the next game.
Notably, the second Test will also be held in Rawalpindi, starting next Friday, after it was moved from Karachi due to ongoing construction at the National Bank Stadium.
Last Updated on August 26, 2024
