Former Pakistan cricket captain Ramiz Raja vehemently criticised the Pakistan cricket team following their "embarrassing" defeat against New Zealand in the third T20 International match held in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
On his YouTube channel, Raja expressed disbelief at Pakistan's loss to what he termed as a "depleted" New Zealand side on home soil. He emphasized that such a defeat not only shakes the team's foundation but also raises concerns, especially with the upcoming World Cup looming large on the horizon.
Raja highlighted the disappointment of losing to a team that he considered not even a complete side, labelling them as neither first-tier nor second-tier. He pointed out the stark contrast in performance, noting that just 24 hours prior, Pakistan had secured a convincing victory against the same opponent by seven wickets.
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The former captain urged the Pakistani batsmen to exhibit better consistency and not squander their wickets after getting set, emphasizing the need for substantial innings to post competitive totals. He criticized the team's inability to capitalize on the home advantage and favourable pitch conditions, asserting that Pakistan should have aimed for a score of at least 250 runs.
New Zealand's resurgence in the five-match T20I series, led by Mark Chapman's outstanding performance in Rawalpindi, has leveled the series at 1-1 with two matches remaining in Lahore. Chapman's blistering knock of 87 runs off 42 balls, supported by Dean Foxcroft's contribution, propelled New Zealand to victory as they chased down the 179-run target with ease.
Despite a promising start from Pakistan's opening duo Saim Ayub and Babar, the team faltered in their batting performance, failing to capitalize on key partnerships. While Shadab Khan's aggressive innings of 41 runs off 20 balls provided some momentum, Pakistan's total remained below par.
With the series now poised delicately, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, scheduled for April 25th and 27th, as both teams vie for supremacy in the highly anticipated contest.
