New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja questioned the Shan Masood-led side for exclusion of a frontline spinner from the team during Pakistan’s crushing 10-wicket defeat to Asian rivals Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Bangladesh registered its first Test win over Pakistan in the 14 meetings between the two teams since 2001. The hosts were bowled out for 146 in the second innings courtesy of phenomenal spell by Bangladesh spinners backed by the pace unit before their openers cut short the 30-run diminutive chase in just 6,3 overs.
A lot of talk about playing four-pronged pace attack on the cost of dropping a frontline spinner in youngster Abrar Ahmed featured before the start of the Rawalpindi Test, though Pakistan skipper Shan Masood backed the decision after the loss.
While presenting his point of view on the debacle of a Pakistan bowling attack sans a spinner, Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube channel:
‘“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.”
Veteran Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim played a crucial knock of 191 and was involved in a record-breaking 196-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77). This was Bangladesh’s best partnership for the seventh wicket in Test cricket history after the duo stood tall against Pakistan’s pace attack.
Ramiz, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, further explained how the Pakistan pacers have recede from the view since the Asia Cup 2023.
“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,” the 62-year-old said.
“Their speeds have decreased, and so have their skill set. The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets,” he added.
Ramiz questions Shan Masood’s captaincy
Shan Masood hasn’t had a great start to his captaincy career after taking the reigns from Babar Azam in November last year. The 34-year-old is yet to find a win next to his name after losing the three-match series in Australia earlier this year followed by the Rawalpindi embarrassment.
Ramiz Raja said that Masood must contemplate on his batting after scores of 6 and 14 in the first Test against Bangladesh. The cricket pundit was also of the opinion that the Pakistan skipper should read the conditions better to harness the home advantage.
“Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions things are tougher and the Pakistan team couldn’t 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 added.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will play the second Test match at the same venue from August 30 to September 3. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja questioned the Shan Masood-led side for exclusion of a frontline spinner from the team during Pakistan’s crushing 10-wicket defeat to Asian rivals Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
