Pakistan cricket at lowest point in international history: Ramiz Raja

Published April 26, 2015
The former national captain said that Pakistan cricket needs a tonic of aggression and the overall strategy needed to be improved. — AFP/file
The former national captain said that Pakistan cricket needs a tonic of aggression and the overall strategy needed to be improved. — AFP/file

Cricket commentator and former Test captain Ramiz Raja has described Pakistan's hammering at the hands of Bangladesh as "embarrassing" and the "lowest point in our international history".

He said pressure was on the green-shirts to re-invent themselves and keep Bangladesh at a distance during the upcoming Test series between the two countries.

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Ramiz Raja expressed his disappointment in the "lack of direction" and the lack of "fresh ideas" from the Pakistan Cricket Board which had rendered the national cricket team as a "rudderless ship".

His comments followed Pakistan's 0-3 ODI whitewash, and a loss in the only T20 international played during the ongoing tour of Bangladesh.

Read: 4-0: Bangladesh hammer Pakistan on way to maiden T20 triumph

The drubbing was the culmination "of a badly thought out strategy", according to the former cricketer who criticised the PCB's 'outdated strategy' of keeping wickets in hand and then going hard in the last 10 overs.

Raja said that the country is no longer churning out the same assembly line of talent as they did in the past, and even if any player comes through they are not "used properly" by the team management.

He said that the emerging lot of players are "timid" and have a boxed in mentality. He pointed out flaws in the players brought up, and said that they [the players] ─ having technical and mental issues ─ do not know how to construct an innings.

The former national captain said that Pakistan cricket needs a tonic of aggression, and its overall strategy needs to be improved.

He said he had expected Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez top lose their bowling potency after they returned to international cricket with a remodeled action.

The only silver lining seen by the cricket commentator is the emergence of newly-appointed captain Azhar Ali as the top run-getter, with a century and a half-century in three innings.

Talking about the upcoming two-match Test series between hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan which begins in Khulna on April 28, Ramiz said, "I think Bangladesh should be relentless as this a golden chance for them to create history."

He added, "Pakistan have been hit by losses and injuries and it's going to be a real challenge. It's going to be difficult as things can't change dramatically as the coaching staff is the same; most of the players are same."

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