The Pakistan men’s cricket team suffered arguably its worst defeat ever in the history of Test cricket, going down by 10 wickets against Bangladesh in their own home. The embarrassing loss saw Shan Masood’s side face a lot of criticism from fans and experts alike. Former Pakistan batter, Ramiz Raja painted a unique ‘India Angle’ behind the team’s defeat to the Bangla Tigers, saying it all started when the Indian team bashed Pakistan bowlers in the Asia Cup.
“Firstly, there was a mistake in team selection. You were without a spinner. Secondly, the reputation based on which we rely on our fast bowlers is finished. This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions and then the secret was out to the world that the only way to counter this line-up was to attack. Their speeds have decreased, and so have their skill set,” Ramiz said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets. Since Pakistan did not have an out-and-out fast bowler on that track, even Bangladesh, with that line-up stood tall against our pacers with speeds around 125 to 135kmph,” Ramiz added.
Ramiz didn’t just blast the bowling attack but also criticized Pakistan skipper Shan Masood for losing to a team like Bangladesh, that too at home.
“Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions, things are tougher and it was impossible for Pakistan team to win a series there. But you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well,” Ramiz said.
“Neither did the batters apply themselves and the bowlers were horrendous. Masood needs to improve his batting and needs to show that you have some knowledge of the game. He is an experienced skipper, having led in PSL and County matches. I don’t know on what basis he picked four pacers for the Rawalpindi track during the month of August,” Ramiz added.
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