“If any team can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it’s the Pakistan team” – Ramiz Raja on the hosts’ loss in PAK vs BAN 2024 1st Test

Former Pakistan batter Ramiz Raja slammed Shan Masood’s team after they were stunned by Bangladesh in the opening Test match at Rawalpindi by 10 wickets on Sunday. The home was skittled out for 146 runs in the second innings after declaring at 448-6 on a flat deck.

The Tigers took a 117-run lead after they scored a gargantuan score of 565 runs, courtesy of a fine 191-run knock from veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim. However, it was Pakistan’s second essay batting effort, which led to their downfall. 

Mohammed Rizwan top-scored with 51 runs but seven other batters could not even reach the double-digits. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan bagged four and three wickets respectively in the second dig. The visitors then had to chase down only 30 runs to win their maiden Test match against Pakistan and they did that with ease.

“If any team can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it’s the Pakistan team, and their reputation has become like that. This has not happened for the first time that Pakistan have floundered on the fifth day of Test cricket. Sometimes batting is a flop show and they bowl badly on other occasions,” Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube Channel.

The cricketer-turned-commentator feels Pakistan could not handle pressure in the crunch situations of the game.

“It becomes an odd story whenever pressure mounts on this team. I feel it’s a serious problem. Your belief system goes off as soon as pressure mounts on you, especially on the bowlers, as they start bowling bad spells. The batters don’t have the ability at all as it becomes a flop show whenever there is slight sideways movement,” Ramiz Raja added.

Raja reckons there is a lack of confidence among the Pakistan fast bowlers and it started from the match against India in seam-friendly conditions.

“The fast bowling reputation has finished. The debacle started from the Asia Cup. The confidence crisis in this bowling lineup, especially in fast bowling, started from the match against India. Our fast bowlers were thrashed in seaming conditions. Then the entire world figured out that if they are attacked, this bowling attack is not of the same standard as its reputation,” Raja said.

“Everyone’s speed has gone down and the skill level is not there. The Bangladesh fast bowlers looked more penetrative. Our bowlers are mostly looking to enjoy or create drama after picking up a wicket rather than create their reputation through performance,” Ramiz Raja added.

The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played at Rawalpindi from Friday onwards.