PAK vs SA: Ramiz Raja Calls For Fresh Faces In Pakistan Team After Loss Against Afghanistan

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has called for a shake-up in the Pakistan team in the wake of their humiliating defeat against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the semifinal of the World Cup for the first time since 2011 are hanging by a fine thread. After starting their campaign with two wins, the Babar Azam-led side has now lost three games in a row. They defeated the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before suffering heavy losses against India and Australia.

And Monday (October 23) was not an exception either as Afghanistan thrashed them by 8 wickets to all but seal their chances of progressing ahead. Batting first, Pakistan scored 282 for 7 in 50 overs thanks to fifties from Babar Azam (74) and Abdullah Shafique (58). In reply, Afghanistan chased down the total in 49 overs by losing just two wickets with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmat Shah (77*) scoring fifties.

The latest defeat has once again highlighted the major problems in Pakistan’s ODI unit. They have looked unimpressive since last month’s Asia Cup. The Men in Green’s middle-order has looked fragile for quite some time now while spinners have failed to pick up wickets regularly. The top-order has also failed to provide the team with good and fast starts. In the absence of Naseem Shah, the pace bowling department has looked toothless too.

Ramiz Raja’s advice for Pakistan:

Expressing his disappointment over the loss against Afghanistan, Ramiz Raja stated that Babar Azam and his teammates ‘were very average’ during the match. He then stated that the team needed fresh faces and called for the inclusion of players such as Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris. The former PCB chief also opined that Pakistan need to play with a new approach to do well in ODIs.

“Pakistan were very average against Afghanistan. Pakistan need a fresh faces in the team now. The likes of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris need to be polished. We need a fresh approach, we are still playing with old mindset,” said Ramiz Raja.

'Pakistan were very average against Afghanistan. Pakistan need a fresh faces in the team now. The likes of Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris need to be polished. We need a fresh approach, we are still playing with old mindset' – Ramiz Raja #CWC23 #PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/AmfCkxGj7A

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 24, 2023