Pakistan Cricket Needs ‘Herculean’ Efforts to Bounce Back, Ramiz Raja Asserts

Ramiz Raja-Pakistan Cricket Needs ‘Herculean’ Efforts to Bounce Back, Ramiz Raja Asserts. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja criticized the state of Pakistan cricket following their recent series defeat to Bangladesh. Raja expressed that Pakistan cricket needs monumental efforts to recover from the setbacks experienced in the red-ball format.

In a video statement, Raja congratulated Bangladesh for their commanding 2-0 series win over Pakistan on Pakistani soil. “Bangladesh was outstanding across all areas and clearly outperformed Pakistan,” Raja remarked.

Raja took a pointed jab at the Pakistan cricket team, saying, “I must thank Pakistan for setting a record defeat. I’m unsure how Pakistani cricket will recover. At this point, only a miracle could help, especially with England set to visit for a three-match Test series. Pakistan cannot afford another disaster.”

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He noted the discontent among Pakistani fans and the bleak discussions surrounding the team. Raja scrutinized the performance of Shan Masood, the team’s captain, stating, “Shan Masood needs to take responsibility as the leader. It’s his job to secure victories. He has made several mistakes.”

While Raja acknowledged that Masood is still the captain and the bowling attack is relatively inexperienced, he emphasized that Masood chose to rely on this young bowling lineup. “Masood was aware of the team’s fitness issues and the state of the bowling attack,” Raja said.

Raja expressed concern over the team’s prospects, questioning whether the current bowling attack could perform well against England. “I don’t believe this attack can achieve victories against England, whether by 3-0, 2-0, or 1-0,” he said, describing the bowling as one-dimensional and more suited for first-class cricket.

Raja also lamented the lack of interest in Pakistan’s red-ball cricket. “With world-class cricket available on television, why would viewers choose to watch Pakistan cricket if it only brings disappointment?” he asked. He pointed out that Babar Azam’s recent form has been poor and questioned who else might attract viewers.

He acknowledged Saud Shakeel’s initial success in Test cricket but noted his struggles against fast bowlers both in Australia and Pakistan. “Shakeel had a century in the series against Bangladesh, but in a losing series, such achievements don’t carry much weight,” Raja commented.

While praising Mohammad Rizwan for his persistent batting efforts, Raja questioned how long Rizwan could continue to fight alone. “Rizwan is showing great resistance, but how long can he sustain this effort on his own?”

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“Winning teams are celebrated, and fans naturally gravitate toward successful players,” Raja remarked, expressing his discontent with the current state of Pakistan cricket. “There’s little to praise in Pakistan’s recent performances.”

He highlighted the difficulty of the run chase, noting that Bangladesh secured victory over Pakistan by six wickets. “Despite playing on a fifth-day pitch where the ball was turning sharply, Pakistan lacked a bowler with high-arm action to make the most of the conditions,” he added.

Raja voiced his frustration about Pakistan’s future prospects, saying, “I’m deeply concerned about our progress. We’ve tried both experienced and fringe players, but we’ve lost with both.”

He also criticized the impact of changing captains, mentioning that Babar Azam is under significant pressure, and the middle order remains unreliable. “Due to fitness issues, the team has had to rely on extra fast bowlers, but this hasn’t solved the problems,” Raja said.

“There are issues with tactics, batting, and fielding as well,” he continued. “To chase down runs, a solid partnership was needed. Bangladesh managed to form one, which made their run chase easier.”

Raja called for a renewed focus on developing both spinners and fast bowlers, expressing concern over the absence of effective fast bowlers. “I’m puzzled about where Pakistan’s fast bowlers have gone. Many of my colleagues and I question this regularly,” he stated.

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He emphasized that while a fast bowler might occasionally bowl above 140 kph, consistent pace is essential. “Without it, no matter how much movement you get, it won’t be beneficial,” Raja explained.

Raja expressed his disappointment, noting that losses affect everyone involved with Pakistan cricket, from players to commentators and fans. “We all feel the sting of these defeats, and it’s painful for everyone connected to the sport,” he said.

He stressed the need for a strategic overhaul, even if the captaincy cannot be changed immediately. “We must rethink our strategy and select players with strong techniques. Performance in first-class cricket doesn’t always translate to international success,” Raja pointed out.

Finally, Raja addressed the issue of player development, noting that Pakistan cannot afford to wait for young players to mature. “We need to assess whether young players can perform under current conditions. What’s the focus level of the batters? How well are they forming partnerships? And why are Babar Azam’s issues not being addressed?”

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