Pakistan cricket is facing its worst time in Test cricket and former cricketer Ramiz Raja has openly slammed the team after another embarrassing defeat. England completely outplayed Pakistan in Leeds. They won the first Test of the three-match series by a huge margin of an innings and 103 runs in less than three days and took a 1-0 lead.
Pakistan’s batting was very poor. They were bowled out for just 171 runs in the first innings and only 135 runs in the second innings. In total, they could not even bat for 86 overs across both innings. England, on the other hand, scored a big total of 409 runs and took a massive lead of 238 runs in the first innings.
The difference between the two teams was clear. In Pakistan’s first innings, England bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue both took five wickets each. After that, England’s batters took full control of the match.
Speaking on a show, Ramiz Raja said that the team has lost its most important support, i.e., fans. He explained that fans are now disappointed and upset and will not support this team anymore, and no one can blame them. He pointed out that when a team loses 17 Tests out of the last 20 it has played, no fan will want to back them.
Ramiz Raja also questioned Pakistan’s strategy for making pitches at home. In the last few years, Pakistan has been making spin-friendly pitches to increase their chances of winning at home. This plan worked against England in 2024 but Ramiz Raja feels it has caused a lot of damage in the long run.
He said that by doing this, the selectors are making a one-dimensional team that can only win on certain types of pitches. He added that Pakistan has stopped encouraging fast bowling. Also, since many players prefer to play T20 cricket because it brings more fame and money, they are not interested in playing Test cricket anymore.
He further states that these are very desperate times for Pakistan to bring back its fast bowling strength. Pace bowling has always been Pakistan’s identity and DNA. If they stop supporting the very thing that made them special, then there is no point in playing Test matches.
This situation looks even more shocking when we remember Pakistan’s past record in England. Just ten years ago, Pakistan was the No.1 Test team in the world. And in the late 1980s and 1990s, their legendary teams led by players like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis won three Test series in a row in England.
A time for introspection for Pakistan cricket!
