Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has expressed his support for under-pressure Babar Azam while strongly criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allegedly contributing to the decline of Pakistan cricket. With Pakistan failing to qualify for the World Cup, criticism has been directed at skipper Babar Azam for his perceived poor captaincy. Raja defended Babar on his YouTube channel, questioning the team’s overall performance and criticizing the PCB’s tendency to change the captain and coaching staff without addressing fundamental issues.
Raja also criticized PCB chief Zaka Ashraf and interim chief selector Tauseef Ahmed, questioning their passion for the game and criticizing the process of leaking news to preferred reporters. He claimed that Pakistan cricket has collapsed and stressed the need for a change in the system.
Following Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, Raja discussed Babar Azam’s future as captain, highlighting the need for a focus on the team’s approach to white-ball cricket and addressing fault lines. He emphasized the team’s need for a mental lift, particularly considering the pressure from critics, former players, and the media.
Raja also blamed Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly the spin department, for the team’s poor performance in the tournament. He expressed disappointment in their ability to play spin and emphasized the need for finding replacements. When asked about any positive takeaway from the World Cup, Raja mentioned Mohammad Wasim but stressed the need for Pakistan to forget about bowling repetitions and explore new options.
In summary, Ramiz Raja’s remarks reflect his frustration with the state of Pakistan cricket, defending Babar Azam while strongly criticizing the PCB’s role and highlighting the team’s issues in various departments.