Ramiz Raja feels Asia Cup 2023 thrashing by India started downfall of Pakistan bowlers

Ramiz Raja reckons the threatening reputation of Pakistani fast bowlers has faded away.

In the aftermath of Pakistan‘s embarrassing test match loss against Bangladesh, former cricketer Ramiz Raja has commented on the decreasing reputation of Pakistan’s fast bowling, saying that the oppositions have now found a way to counter them by being aggressive.

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan lost a test match to Bangladesh for the first time in their history. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side won the Rawalpindi test by 10 wickets. Bangladesh scored 565 runs in their first innings with Pakistan scoring 448 in their first innings and 146 in their second innings. Bangladesh were set a target of only 30 runs, which they chased down without losing a single wicket.

The Bangladeshi batters kept the Pakistanis on the field for 167.3 overs. Pakistan had picked a four-match pace attack and didn’t pick any specialist spinner. The four pacers were tired out as each of them bowled more than 25 overs in the Pindi heat.

Pakistani bowlers’ confidence crisis started during the Asia Cup: Ramiz Raja

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja recalled the thrashing the Pakistani bowlers received from the Indian batters in their Super Four encounter in the Asia Cup 2023. In that match, India piled up 356 runs courtesy of centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. The Colombo pitch wasn’t easy as Pakistan later found out when they were bowled out for only 128.

Raja said that game significantly hit the confidence of Pakistani bowlers and they haven’t found their mojo back since.

“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. 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,” Ramiz said.

Our bowlers are involved more in enjoying the dismissals: Ramiz Raja

The former PCB chairman made interesting observations about the two teams’ pace attack in the Rawalpindi test.

“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. 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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