PAK vs NZ: 'Embarrassing defeat shook foundation of Pakistan' - Ramiz Raja blasts Babar Azam & Co. after 3rd T20I loss

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja lashed out at the Babar Azam-led side for their poor outing in the third T20I against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He believes that the defeat will shake the foundation of the team a bit and will create doubts going into the T20 World Cup 2024. 

In what was a disappointing loss, Pakistan were at the receiving end of a 7-wicket thrashing at the hands of the third-string New Zealand team. The Kiwis produced a magnificent effort with the bat and ball and made sure that they level the series, having faced a horrible loss in the second game. 

New Zealand opted to field and they had a decent outing with the ball as they restricted Pakistan to 178 runs. Their best came with the bat as they produced a magnificent effort and chased the target with around 2 overs to spare and went 1-1 in the five-match T20I series, with their second-string team. 

Mark Chapman was the star for Pakistan with the bat. The all-rounder played a magnificent innings of unbeaten 87 runs and took his team home. Despite having a strong bowling lineup, the Babar Azam-led side failed to defend the target and faced a lot of criticism for their poor outing. 

Ramiz Raja lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Team for the loss, saying that it wasn't even a second-tier New Zealand team. While calling the loss embarrassing, he explained: 

"Losing is a part of cricket, but such a defeat shakes the foundation a bit, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. Playing at home, on your favourite surface, against a team that isn't even a complete side - not a first-tier or even a second-tier New Zealand team - makes it an embarrassing loss." 

"Let's admit that in T20, anyone's luck can change, but such a drastic turn of tables within 24 hours is a blow to Pakistan's reputation. For some time now, there has been a notion that one can expect anything from Pakistan on a giver day. Just 24 hours ago, Pakistan defeated them by 7 wickets, and 24 hours later, they suffered a 7-wicket defeat," Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube channel.

This should not happen - Ramiz Raja on Pakistan's loss against New Zealand 

Ramiz Raja further said that such losses shouldn't happen for Pakistan. He pointed out how the batters threw their starts on a 250-run pitch and also lashed out at the bowlers for their mediocre performance with the ball. He added: 

"This should not happen. The batsmen are set should not get out after scoring just 20-30 runs. That's why the score is only 180. This pitch is worth at least 250 runs, as we know how many runs have been scored here before. Pakistan scored fewer runs, and no one played a long innings. The bowling performance was also quite mediocre." 

The fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on 25th April. The Babar Azam-led side would be keen to make a comeback.