Pakistan’s fast bowling, once revered as the team’s greatest strength, seems to be losing its edge. Former Pakistan cricketer and ex-PCB chairman Ramiz Raja didn’t hold back when discussing this decline, especially after Pakistan’s recent 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi—a defeat that marked their first-ever Test loss to the Tigers.
The Start of the Downfall
Ramiz Raja traced the beginning of this downward spiral to the Super Fours defeat against India in last year’s Asia Cup. Back then, Pakistan’s pace attack, featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, was considered one of the best in the world.
But that game, where India posted a massive 356/2, exposed cracks in Pakistan’s pace armor. “This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.
“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.”
India’s dominance, led by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s centuries, shattered the myth of Pakistan’s invincibility with the ball. Since then, the pace trio has struggled to regain their form. Naseem Shah’s injury, Shaheen Afridi’s ongoing fitness issues, and Haris Rauf’s inconsistency have all contributed to the team’s woes.
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Bangladesh Exposes Further Weaknesses
The recent series against Bangladesh only deepened these concerns. Pakistan’s decision to field an all-pace attack backfired spectacularly as Bangladesh batted for 167.3 overs, piling up 565 runs in their first innings.
Ramiz was critical of this strategy, questioning why the team management chose to rely solely on pace when conditions might have favored a more balanced attack.
“The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative, while our bowlers were involved more in enjoying the dismissals and creating drama around them rather than impressing with their performances,” Ramiz remarked.
This observation stings even more when considering Bangladesh’s traditional reliance on spin rather than pace. Yet, their fast bowlers outperformed Pakistan’s, highlighting the current struggles of Pakistan’s once-fearsome pace unit.
Shan Masood Under Fire
Ramiz didn’t stop at criticizing the bowlers; he also took aim at Shan Masood’s captaincy. The Pakistan skipper, who has been in poor form with the bat, scoring just 201 runs in his last eight innings, came under scrutiny for his tactical decisions.
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“Masood needs to improve his batting and show his knowledge of the game,” Ramiz said, pointing out that despite his experience in PSL and county cricket, Masood’s leadership has been lacking.
As Pakistan prepares for the second Test against Bangladesh, the team faces significant pressure to bounce back and avoid a series loss. Ramiz Raja’s criticisms serve as a wake-up call for both the players and the management.
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