Ramiz Raja Archives

Ramiz Raja makes major assertion regarding Pakistan pacers’ “downfall”

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja claimed that the debacle and confidence crisis of the national men’s team pacers started with the defeat against India in the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup 2023.

Raja’s statement came after Pakistan succumbed to their first-ever defeat against Bangladesh in Tests.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Raja questioned several strategies of the Pakistan team; including going with an all-pace attack, letting Bangladesh bat for 167.3 overs and accumulating 565 in their first innings.

Ramiz Raja further asserted that the reputation of Pakistan pacers has been finished.

“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,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.

“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. Their speeds have decreased, and so have their skill set,” he added.

Raja further compared Bangladesh’s pace attack with that of Pakistan, stating that their bowlers were more focused. He also questioned the decline in the pace of the national fast bowlers.

“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,” said Raja.

“The speeds of Pakistan’s fast bowlers are less. If you don’t have an out-and-out fast bowler on this pitch and only have one-dimensional 125 to 135 kmph pacers, a batting line-up like Bangladesh will stand tall against you,” he added.

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The former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman also criticised Test captain Shan Masood for his captaincy while also mentioning the southpaw’s poor form with the bat.

“Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I understand, in Australian conditions, things are tougher and it’s almost impossible for them to 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. The batters couldn’t take inspiration from the first innings performance and the bowlers were horrendous.

“Masood needs to improve his batting and show his knowledge of the game. He is an experienced skipper, having led in PSL and County matches. I couldn’t understand the basis on which he felt leaving grass on the Rawalpindi would make the ball swing in August and would win them the match,” Ramiz Raja added.

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Ramiz Raja labels Saim Ayub ‘undercooked’ as opener

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has slammed opening batter Saim Ayub for his inconsistent performance and labelled him ‘undercooked’ after the Green Shirts’ loss against England in the second T20I.

Saim Ayub continued his poor run, falling for only two runs while chasing 184. He has scored 286 runs in 19 T20I innings so far at a strike-rate of 127.67.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja questioned Ayub’s place as an opener and urged Pakistan to revert to the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

“First, Saim Ayub coming as an opener. I don’t think Pakistan should continue with Saim. He has been given too many chances and you have to do better in [international] cricket. He is undercooked,” said Raja.

“You need to revert to the opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam because that is Pakistan’s strength and they understand each other’s game. The entire combination has been disturbed due to Saim.”

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The former chairman also advised pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to develop more variations to put more pressure on the batters irrespective of the conditions.

“Second, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling. Look, if the ball isn’t swinging and he bowls at full length, then he gets bashed,” he added.

“He needs to develop length ball and change of pace especially when he is not getting much from the pitch. Even today, he didn’t bowl perfectly with the new ball and [England] escaped pressure.”

Ramiz Raja also raised concerns over Azam Khan’s batting against pace bowlers, stating that he needs to improve otherwise teams will exploit this weakness and will further trouble him.

“And then, Azam Khan’s batting against pace is problematic. With the team, as big teams will analyse him, they will use short balls against him, and they will make him come out of his comfort zone. His strike rate against spin is very good but not against pace,” he stated.

READ: Imad Wasim reveals the reason behind Pakistan’s loss in second England T20I

Ramiz Raja raises concerns about Saim Ayub’s form, slams pacers

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Ramiz Raja raised concerns over the poor form of opening batter Saim Ayub and Pakistan’s pace bowlers in the Ireland series.

Speaking at his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja questioned the effectiveness of Saim Ayub in the opening spot for the Men in Green as he stressed consistency and reliability at the top of the order.

“I don’t think Saim Ayub gives you security, he shows flashes of brilliance. If you don’t score 50 off 30 balls then breaking Rizwan and Babar’s opening duo doesn’t make any sense,” Raja said.

On the dismal run of Pakistan’s bowling lineup in the Ireland series, he said that Pakistani bowlers conceded 200 runs against Ireland which was a worrying sign before the T20 World Cup 2024.

“They conceded 200 runs against Ireland and it seemed as if our bowlers were behind, If they had taken the catches of Rizwan and and Zaman it would have become difficult for Pakistan to chase the target,” Ramiz Raja said.

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According to Ramiz Raja, the Pakistani pace bowlers lacked consistency since the previous year’s World Cup in India.

“Pakistan’s top bowlers giving away so many runs against Ireland, then it will become hard for the team in future. Pakistan’s forte, and success are based on the bowlers, especially pacers, they have been struggling since last year’s World Cup in India. Two balls are good and then three deliveries are bad, this makes the situation tough,” he added.

While the Greenshirts won the second game of the three-match T20 series against Ireland, Pakistani bowlers conceded 193 and managed to take seven wickets.

The series is level with one apiece as Ireland won the first match of the series.

READ: Ireland to tour Pakistan next year in August for Test series

“Exceedingly harsh,” Wahab Riaz on Ramiz Raja’s remarks about Amir

Former Pakistan pacer and national selector Wahab Riaz reacted to former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja’s remarks about left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir.

Pakistan’s newly-constituted seven-member selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the five-match home T20I series against New Zealand which saw the return of Amir.

Explaining Amir’s selection, Riaz highlighted the valuable experience Amir possesses and also his recent performances in the franchise league cricket including the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“Going forward, we have a lot of injury-prone players and Amir’s performance is also in front of everyone.

“PSL is one of the best tournaments from where you select players, especially for T20s, and if somebody is available, we should only take into account their performance and Amir is one of those choices.

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Wahab Riaz then went on to term Ramiz Raja’s statement regarding Mohammad Amir as “exceedingly harsh” but acknowledged the freedom of speech.

“Ramiz Raja’s remark regarding Mohammad Amir is exceedingly harsh and carries a distinctly negative connotation, yet everyone retains the freedom to voice their opinions,” stated Riaz.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain and renowned commentator did not mince his words while lashing out at Amir’s return to international cricket, stating once a player was involved in fixing should not be brought back.

“My opinion on this is very simple. While sympathy may exist for him [Amir], in my book there is no forgiveness. If God forbid my son was to engage in such actions, I would disown him,” Raja said on a local news channel.

“I remember the time when these players did fixing because I was doing commentary at Lord’s. People hated me because I was being identified with the fixers, in their opinion, and I can never forget the criticism we faced on media,” he added.

READ: Selection committee explains Azam Khan’s inclusion in Pakistan squad

Ramiz Raja to partially commentate during PSL 9

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja, on Tuesday, revealed that he will not be available for the entire Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Ramiz thanked his fans for the wishes on his return to PSL but revealed that by the time he was approached for the commentary role, he had already signed a deal with Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The renowned commentator, however, shared that he will be available to commentate in the latter stage of the tournament.

“Thank you all for your PSL comeback wishes. I am humbled. I had already signed up for BPL when I got the offer of PSL so will be joining the last leg of Pindi [Rawalpindi] and Khi [Karachi]. Let’s hope it’s a great tournament,” stated Ramiz.

Thank you all for your PSL comeback wishes. I am humbled.
I had already signed up for BPL when I got the offer of PSL so will be joining the last leg of Pindi and khi. Let’s hope it’s a great tournament.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) February 13, 2024

Earlier this week, the PCB unveiled a star-studded commentary panel for the PSL 9, featuring former Australia captain Michael Clarke, who is all set to make his HBL PSL debut behind the mic.

42-year-old Clarke has been an active broadcaster after hanging up his boots as a player.

The foreign commentators’ roster involves the dynamic Ian Bishop, known for his insightful and gripping commentary, along with Danny Morrison, Simon Doull, Pommie Mbangwa, Mark Butcher, Dominic Cork and Mike Haysman.

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Bishop will return to the PSL for the second time after having called the 2017 season. Morrison is a well-known name among the local fans and a regular voice in the tournament while Doull has made trips to Pakistan not just for PSL but also for various international series.

Mbangwa will return after having called the 2022 edition of the HBL PSL. Butcher, Cork, and Haysman are also synonymous names with the PSL and they’ll light up the tournament with their vocals and thrilling calls with the mic in hand.

The Pakistani commentators also make up an exciting lineup with Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, Bazid Khan, and Aamir Sohail joining Urooj Mumtaz, Sana Mir and Marina Iqbal. Tariq Saeed and Ali Younis will call the action in Urdu.

Erin Holland and Zainab Abbas will be the presenters during the course of PSL 9.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed steps down as Quetta Gladiators captain ahead of PSL 9

No Ramiz Raja in Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel

Former Pakistan captain and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja was left out of the star-studded commentary panel for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to commence on August 30.

The official broadcaster of this year’s Asia Cup on Friday announced the commentary panel which featured Pakistan’s Bazid Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aamer Sohail.

The commentary panel further features prominent names like Ravi Shastri, Andy Flower and Matthew Hayden.

Notably, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja, who returned to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus during Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka last month, was not named in the panel.

Soon after assuming the charge of the PCB chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

Commentary panel for Asia Cup 2023:

Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Waqar Younis, Andy Flower, Marvan Atapattu, Irfan Pathan, Matthew Hayden, Sanjay Bangar, Aamer Sohail, Piyush Chawla, Dominic Cork, Sanjay Manjrekar, Deep Dasgupta, Mohammad Kaif, Bazid Khan, Aditya Tare and Rajat Bhatia.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Bangladesh’s Mohammad Naim walks on fire to prepare for Asia Cup

Ramiz, Wasim, Waqar named in Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel

The star-studded commentary panel for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 has been unveiled, featuring renowned voices from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The Asia Cup 2023 commentary panel features five from India, four from Pakistan and one each from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja, who returned to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus during Pakistan’s two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka last month, is also named in the panel.

Soon after assuming the charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, he will be accompanied by legendary Pakistan pacers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis alongside Bazid Khan.

Notably, New Zealand’s Scott Styris was named in the panel as a neutral voice.

Commentary panel for Asia Cup 2023:

Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Russel Arnold, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Scott Styris, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Athar Ali Khan, Deep Dasgupta, Ramiz Raja, Bazid Khan.

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Asia Cup tickets to go on sale from Saturday: PCB

Commentary panel unveiled for Pakistan-Sri Lanka Tests

LAHORE: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday, unveiled the five-member commentary panel for the home Test series against Pakistan, which also featured former PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja.

Besides Ramiz, the commentary panel includes Russel Arnold, Aamer Sohail, Roshan Abeysinghe, and Tino Mawoyo.

The two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will mark Ramiz Raja’s return to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

It is pertinent to mention that the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will commence on Sunday and will conclude on July 28.

The series will also mark Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe.

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Ramiz suggests fast bowlers ‘to achieve fitness for five-day cricket first’

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja has suggested the fast bowlers of the country improve their fitness to the levels needed for red-ball cricket, saying, unlike other teams, Pakistan are bringing players from the T20 side to Test cricket

“We are asking our fast bowler to achieve the five-day fitness first,” he told reporters on Saturday during the opening day of the final Test between England and Pakistan.

“We are not only the team who are facing these concerns, the players all around the world are getting injured because of busy schedules,” he replied when asked about the growing number of injuries among the fast bowlers of the national team.

Speedsters Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah have been ruled out of the series due to injuries after playing the first Test in Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was not included in the Test squad since he was going through a rehabilitation program after pulling a knee strain in the final of the T20 World Cup.

Chairman PCB also expressed his displeasure over the fact that Pakistan was bringing fast bowlers to the Test side from the T20 team.

“Ideally we have to take players from five-day cricket to white ball, but what we are doing is taking them from One-days and T20s to the Test,” he said.

Moreover, Ramiz dispelled the impression that team management forced the veteran batter to take retirement on the pretext of bringing radical changes to the team’s approach, saying if our strength is occupying crease then we should continue with our strength.

“We knew beforehand that England were coming with a different mindset after they selected Liam Livingstone, a T20 specialist in the squad,” he said.

He added Pakistan had a very limited pool of players in Test cricket and we had to work to increase that pool.

“Home series is your best shot to try new players,” he replied when asked why Pakistan went with a number of debutants during the ongoing Test series against England.

READ: ‘Greatest’ Messi ready for fitting World Cup farewell

‘ICC need to think out of box’ Ramiz on Pakistan-India stalemate

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed his displeasure over ‘political interference’ on part of Indian authorities regarding the decision not to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023.

Ramiz called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and big boards to play their part in breaking the impasse between the two neighbouring countries.

“There is no reason why India couldn’t come to Pakistan and Pakistan go to India,” Chairman PCB told BBC Test Match Special on Friday during the second day of the opening Test between Pakistan and England.

Pakistan are set to host the Asia Cup next year for the first time after 15 years but BCCI secretary Jay Shah has stated that he will not allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the event but rather insists that the tournament should be shifted to a neutral venue.

“Both boards need to come to terms with whether we want to play each other or not. Pakistan is willing, but they quote political interference. You can’t work when there is political interference.” said Ramiz

“Why give [the Asia Cup] to us in the first place and then make all those statements that India will not travel? India cannot come because the government will not allow them because that has been the stated position, but to take the Asia Cup away from us is just not right.” he added.

The two arch-rivals have not played each other in any bilateral series since 2013, when Pakistan toured India for three ODIs and two T20Is, while around 15 years have passed since the two teams played their last Test match.

PCB chief urged the ICC and two of its powerful members, Australia Cricket and England and Wales Cricket Board, to break their silence over the matter and mend fences between Pakistan and India.

“The neutral cricket boards that have held important positions, when they keep quiet it frustrates me completely,” he said.

“The International Cricket Council has to think out of the box and work better.”

With the England Test team currently on their historic tour of Pakistan after 17 years and playing their first Test of the three-game series in Rawalpindi, Ramiz believed that the country had dispelled the security concerns and was prepared to host India as well.

“We are geared security-wise and cricket-wise to host India,” he insisted.

“Hosting England is a very proud, a very proud moment indeed, for all the fans also.”

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