Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said on Tuesday that Pakistan need herculean efforts to get out of the doldrums following the series disappointment against Bangladesh in the red-ball format.
At the outset of his video, Raja felicitated Bangladesh for thumping Pakistan 2-0 on the latter's shores. "I would like to say that Bangladesh were brilliant in all the departments and miles ahead of Pakistan.".
Taking a dig at the Pakistan national cricket team, Raja said: "By the way, I would like to thank Pakistan for the record defeat. I don't know how Pakistan cricket will uplift again. In the current situation, only a miracle can help, as England are about to touchdown Pakistan to play a three-match Test series. Pakistan cannot bear any other disaster."
"Many of the Pakistan fans are angry with the team, and talks are being held in the depressing context," he added.
Speaking about the failures of the Pakistan team, Raja said: "Shan Masood has to give the answers because he is spearheading the side. It's the job of the leader to win the matches for his side. Shan Masood had made fumbles on many accounts."
"I agree with the point that he is still a captain and the bowling attack is young. But it was Shan who had decided to go with that young bowling attack. Shan knew where Pakistan was standing in terms of the fitness issues," he said.
"When the captain himself scores a run, so half of the story can somehow be sorted. But when you are not scoring runs and get drubbed at the hands of Bangladesh, which is for the first time the visitors had dismantled them in such a clinical way. Such defeats make headlines.".
Raja said: "Can the same bowling attack beat England by 3-0, 2-0, or 1-0? I don't believe that this is not going to happen."
"The bowling attack is one-dimensional. I believe that was the bowling attack meant for the first-class," he said.
Raja lamented: "Who is going to watch Pakistan cricket in the red-ball format. When world-class cricket is being served on the channels, then why viewers will watch Pakistan cricket. Do the people watch Pakistan cricket to embrace disappointment.
He regretted that there was a lack of attractive packages in the team. "Babar Azam is out of the form, and who else will be watched by anybody. Attraction has gone in the Pakistan cricket. Fans "
"Saud Shakeel was off to a good start in the Test cricket, but he is having great trouble against the fast bowlers. We have seen the struggle of Shakeel in Australia and here in Pakistan against the fast bowlers. Though, he had notched up a century in the series against Bangladesh. "But in a losing series, such things are not counted,” he added.
Acknowledging the efforts shown by wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, Raja said; "Rizwan continues to show resistance with the bat. But, how long will he continue to fight alone?"
"Look, the winners are grinners. Subsequently, the fans attach themselves to the victorious players. There is nothing to commend about the performance of Pakistan cricket," he added.
He said: "The run-chase would have been difficult, but yet Bangladesh emerged victorious over Pakistan by six wickets.".
"You were playing on day five on the pitch where the bowling was turning sideways. A moment was also available. But there was no bowler in the team with the high-arm action," he said.
Raja lamented: "I am depressed about how we will move ahead. Because you have fielded both the experienced and fringe players. But, lost in both situations."
"Nothing special has been going in Pakistan's favor with the change of the skipper. Babar Azam is under a lot of pressure, and your middle order continues to collapse. Due to the fitness issues, you have been compelled to go with the extra fast bowlers," Raja added.
"There are also tactics, batting, and fielding woes," he said.
Raja said: "There was a need to stitch one partnership to complete the run-chase. So Bangladesh got it one and made things easier for them to chase the equation."
"There is a need to find spinners and fast bowlers. I don't know where the fast bowlers in Pakistan are gone. Many of my friends, who are also the co-commentators, also use to raise questions that where have been your fast bowlers and so am I," he added.
The renowned commentator stated: "Where have been your fast bowlers? You may generate one bowling spell with a speed of over 140 kph. But, regularly, if you do not have the pace, then no matter how many sideways you have, no benefits reap for you."
"So, I am speechless and disappointed. Because, we are also part of this canvas, and when Pakistan loses, we receive a very painful blow. Because whoever plays for Pakistan, runs cricket, does commentary, or remains a cricket fan gets disappointed," he added.
"You need to change the strategy in hurricane efforts. Maybe, you cannot change the captain right now. But it is a must to change the strategy and pick up the best players, who have good technique. It is not necessary that those who are performing in first-class cricket will generate the same results in international cricket," he said.
Raja said: "It takes time to become the mature player. Pakistan has no time because they are continuing to lose. You cannot take time with the youth, as you are not identifying the talent of youth in a real context. Whether, they can bat and bowl in a better way in these conditions or not?"
He maintained: "What is the concentration level of the batters? How well do the batters stitch the partnerships, or what is the situation of your middle-order? Why are the problems of Babar Azam not being sorted out?”
