PAK vs CAN: Ramiz Raja openly calls out Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim; asks PCB to ban this team

Former Pakistan captain and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Ramiz Raja, has voiced strong opinions on the current state of Pakistan cricket, particularly focusing on the strategy of recalling retired players after their humiliating loss to India in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Raja stressed the need for the Pakistan cricket team to start rebuilding the team post-T20 World Cup 2024 by selecting players who can handle pressure and have a clear understanding of their roles, as the Men in Green are on the brink of elimination from the mega event after losing their first two games.

Ramiz Raja criticizes recall of retired players after Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 struggles

The commentator further argued that bringing retired players, like Mohammad Amir, back into the national fold dents the progress made at the first-class and age-group levels in Pakistan.

He also expressed concern that the trend to bring back retired players sends a message that Pakistan lacks new talent capable of bolstering the national team and winning games.

The former PCB chief believes that the efforts put into developing young cricketers are going to waste, and it suggests that Pakistan’s cricket system does not trust its emerging players.

Raja feels relying on the retired players is hindering the growth of the team, saying fresh talent is a must for the future success of Pakistan cricket considering the current performance of the Men in Green.

By advocating for a forward-thinking approach, Raja has urged Pakistan's cricket authorities to place greater faith in the new generation of players and make sure the new squad evolves around fresh, robust, and dynamic players.

Ramiz Raja urges rebuilding with new talent as Pakistan faces T20 World Cup 2024 elimination

Ramiz Raja said on Cricbuzz: “You need to start rebuilding after the World Cup. You've got to pick those players who can handle pressure and those who have clarity. And I think not all of them, but I just feel that there is no need to bring out players from their retirements.

By asking all these retirees to come back, you are actually negating the good work that's been done at the first class or the age group levels. It gives an impression as if there is no new talent that can come and help Pakistan cricket. You are unretiring players to help Pakistan cricket. That is not done. It's a backward move.”

Raja's statement highlighted the importance of investing in and nurturing young talent to maintain competitiveness on the international stage. Notably, the Pakistan cricket team led by Babar Azam is currently lounging at the fourth spot in the Group A points table of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

The Men in Green are yet to open their accounts for the mega event, having suffered embarrassing defeats of five runs via Super Over and six runs against the USA and India, respectively, in their first two games in Texas and New York.

Now, Pakistan will have to win their remaining two games against Ireland and Canada by a large margin if they have any chance to make it to the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024. They will next face Canada in their T20 World Cup 2024 clash in New York on Tuesday, June 11.