Former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja did not hold back and took the Green Shirts to the cleaners following India’s seven-wicket win in the 12th match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
The Green Shirts lost for the eighth time in the history of the World Cup against India and the subpar performances of many key players have now become a matter of concern among fans, as well as ex and current cricketers.
Raja, who previously served as the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, talked about the Green Shirts’ bowling saying that there were visible problems with their length and line and also said that the tailenders were playing like that was a “charity” match.
“When the ball isn’t providing any support in terms of seam and swing, then why were they bowling half-volley? Why were they not using length like Jasprit Bumrah? Because they haven’t been taught what you can achieve by the consistency of a length ball. Either we bowl bouncers or at full-lengths," Raja said while talking on a local sports show.
“Our bowlers couldn’t spin the ball while their spinners dismantled our batting in the middle overs. I have never seen a team batting at 150-2 and then failing to score 200. Our tailenders were playing like they were in a charity match. I mean, at least try to score 220 or 230, it could’ve gotten close," he added.
He further stated that the Green Shirts had “performance anxiety”.
“Just like Australia, whom I have never seen being this demoralised, Pakistan have performance anxiety. When you are playing in front 100,00 crowd, you have got to beat them with your exceptional performance,” Raja said.
“Yes, a hundred thousand people came to watch India, but they also came to see you play. That was an embarrassing defeat. Losing your wicket after scoring 20, 30 or 50 runs is unacceptable.”
