Ramiz Raja, the former great from Pakistan, believes that the team’s decline began when Indian batsmen dominated their bowlers in the Asia Cup.
Ramiz Raja
The Pakistan men’s cricket team endured what might be considered their worst Test defeat ever, falling to Bangladesh by 10 wickets on home soil. This crushing loss has put the spotlight on captain Shan Masood and his team, leading to scrutiny from fans and former cricketers alike. Ramiz Raja, a prominent former Pakistan batter, attributed the defeat to a series of issues, including an “India Angle” that traces back to the Asia Cup, where Indian batsmen heavily targeted Pakistani bowlers.
Ramiz Raja criticized the team’s selection strategy, particularly the decision to field without a spinner. He suggested that the confidence in Pakistan’s fast bowlers had been undermined after their poor performance against India in the Asia Cup, revealing vulnerabilities that other teams, like Bangladesh, exploited effectively.
“The team selection was flawed; playing without a spinner was a mistake. The confidence we had in our fast bowlers has been shaken, especially after India exposed their weaknesses. Our bowlers’ speed and skill have diminished,” Ramiz explained in a video on his YouTube channel. He noted that Bangladesh’s bowlers appeared more effective, and Pakistan’s lack of a genuine fast bowler on the pitch played a significant role in their downfall.
Ramiz also critiqued Shan Masood for his inability to adapt to the conditions, leading to a loss against a team like Bangladesh. He noted that while Masood’s captaincy might have been tested in various leagues, his recent performance in domestic conditions was lacking.
“Shan Masood is currently struggling, and while Australian conditions were tough, losing at home to Bangladesh due to poor condition assessment is concerning. His batting needs improvement, and his choices in team selection, such as fielding four pacers on a Rawalpindi track in August, were questionable,” Ramiz added.
Ramiz emphasized the need for Masood to enhance his batting and leadership skills or risk losing his spot on the team. “He must improve his performance; otherwise, his place in the side could be in jeopardy. A series loss would further strain the team and invite even more criticism,” he concluded.
