PAK vs SA: Pakistan Cricket Need Complete Overhaul After World Cup: Ramiz Raja Expresses Concern

Pakistan‘s loss against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has caused quite a stir in their cricketing fraternity. While it was not the first time that Pakistan had experienced an unexpected loss in the game, the manner of their defeat has left their fans and experts fearing the worst.

Their loss didn’t appear to be an upset, as Afghanistan remained in control throughout the game, effortlessly chasing down a challenging total of 283 runs. Afghanistan crossed the finishing line with an over remaining and 8 wickets in hand. Their top three – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Ibrahim Zadran (87), and Rahmat Shah (77*) – scored fine fifties while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi played an unbeaten knock of 48 runs.

The manner of the defeat is really alarming for Pakistan who have looked like a pale shadow of their usual self in recent days. Their middle-order has looked fragile while their bowling has looked toothless. The top-order has managed to score runs but has lacked aggression, especially in the powerplay overs when most of the teams look to score quickly to set the platform.

Ramiz Raja on Pakistan cricket:

Just like fans and other experts, former Pakistan batsman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja is also worried about the condition of Pakistan cricket. Several former cricketers such as Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Misbah-ul-Haq have expressed their concerns over the team’s situation and Ramiz Raja has joined the bandwagon too.

The former cricketer stated that Pakistan have their plates full of problems. He began by saying that Captain Babar Azam needed to improve tactically and criticized his captaincy against Afghanistan.

“Pakistan have a lot of problems to deal with. Babar Azam needs to improve a lot tactically. Hasan Ali was getting the ball to reverse towards the back end of the innings. The equation was run-a-ball at that stage. Pakistan needed wickets, and Hasan Ali looked very close to getting a dismissal. What was the need to bowl a spinner from the other end?” Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube channel.

“It was a massive disaster for Pakistan in this World Cup. Losing to Afghanistan will hurt badly. The disappointment was writ large on Babar Azam’s face when I interviewed him… Pakistan have never dealt with a surprising defeat like this one before,” he added.

Speaking further, Ramiz Raja said that Pakistan needed to have a serious discussion about the team after the conclusion of the World Cup and called for an overhaul. He said that the team needs new players, a new approach, and a new mindset to progress.

“After this World Cup, there has to be a serious discussion about altering the DNA of this team. They need a complete overhaul in terms of mindset, approach, new talent, and new ideas. We need to improve on each and every aspect. Pakistan have hit rock bottom. Babar Azam needs to step up and prove himself as a leader amid all this,” Ramiz concluded.