Ramiz Raja claims Pakistan bowlers can give a beating to captain Shan Masood in the dressing room

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has blamed the pitch used for the first Test between Pakistan and England at Multan. Ramiz claimed that nothing is happening in the pitch and it can make the bowlers doubt themselves about their skills.

The pitch used for the 1st Test at Multan is turning out to be an absolute road and both the sides have found run-scoring quite easy. While batters have enjoyed such a pitch, the bowlers have toiled hard without much success.

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Ramiz Raja slams Multan pitch for not assisting bowlers

Ramiz Raja was highly critical of the Multan pitch but hoped that Pakistan's players could maintain their composure in the dressing room. Ramiz Raja admitted that nothing is happening from the pitch despite putting in all the effort and it can make the bowlers doubt their abilities.

"I really hope the Pakistan team can keep their composure in the dressing room. The bowlers must be wondering about the quality of this pitch. They've put in all the effort, but nothing’s happening. It can make you doubt yourself, and you start asking why we’re playing on such a surface at home in the first place," Ramiz Raja said during his commentary stint with the host broadcaster.

"I really hope the Pakistan team can keep their composure in the dressing room. The bowlers must be wondering about the quality of this pitch. They've put in all the effort, but nothing’s happening. It can make you doubt yourself, and you start asking why we’re playing on such a… pic.twitter.com/kqCpLE6s9l

— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) October 10, 2024

Pakistan used 7 bowlers in the first innings and none of them was able to put any significant pressure on England's batters. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, and Saim Ayub went for over 100 runs.

Flat pitches in Pakistan

The pitches in Pakistan have been under scrutiny for some time now. Since the past few years, the country has produced some of the flattest pitches in the world, resulting in high scores.

Although the batters have enjoyed playing on such surfaces, the bowlers have struggled in the heat and placid conditions. Such kinds of pitches have been criticized by various experts in the world. Similarly, the Multan pitch for the ongoing Test has been slammed by Ramiz Raja.

During their last Test series in Pakistan, England smashed 506-4 on Day 1 of the first Test at Rawalpindi. England went on to pile 657 runs in their first innings at a run rate of 6.50. England completed a historic clean sweep in the series over the hosts 3-0.

Harry Brook and Joe Root demoralize Pakistan bowlers

In the ongoing Test, Pakistan scored 556 runs in the first innings, thanks to the hundreds from Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Salman Ali Agha. Masood top-scored with 151 off 177 balls while Shafique was solid with 102 off 184 balls. Salman Ali Agha scored a counter-attacking hundred down the order and smashed 104 off 119 balls.

In reply, England piled on 823-7 in their first innings. Harry Brook and Joe Root demolished Pakistan's bowling attack and toyed with them. Root scored a magnificent 262 off 375 balls while Harry Brook scored the first triple-century of his career and was dismissed for 317 off 322 balls.