'It's A Massive Blow': Ramiz Raja & Shoaib Akhtar Lash Out After Pakistan's Series Loss
ENG Vs PAK: The Pakistan team lost the 2nd ODI to a 'second string' England team. The defeat has sent shock waves across the cricketing world. See how some former Pak players reacted to the loss.
Lord's, London: After a decent bowling performance, Pakistan still lost the 2nd ODI against England by 47 runs. With this loss, Pakistan has also lost the three-match ODI series. Former players like Shoaib Akhtar and Ramiz Raja have come out in the open to express their disappointment with the team.
After three players and four management team members from England's ODI squad contracted Coronavirus, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a completely new team to play ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. Nine out of the 18 team members are uncapped players, which means that they have never played an international game before. Thus, it was being speculated that Pakistan might have a good chance to win the series with newer players in the England team. The English youngsters have turned that speculation around by winning the first two ODIs with ease. Now a single ODI and a three-match T20I series remain for Pakistan to salvage something from the tour.
England scored 247 runs in the first innings in the 2nd ODI but the batsmen could not stand the bowling from English pacers. Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Akhtar were not happy with this performance. Raja said he was shocked to see Pakistan go on the way they did.
“If you map this series defeat on the Richter scale, the value of shock will clock fifteen. It’s a massive blow and I don't understand how one can defend it. It’s England’s No.2 team, in terms of talent,” Raja said in his latest YouTube video.
"We are talking about a glorified county team that has beaten Pakistan. People underestimated them and hoped for an ODI series whitewash in England. But look how the tables have turned that now Pakistan are under the threat of a whitewash," he continued.
On the other hand, Shoaib Akhtar said that Pakistan's team is a T20I side and they play accordingly. "No one enjoys criticizing anyone. But tell me, which kid will start playing cricket after watching this team? The PCB's plan is that no one should watch or follow cricket and they don't have to spend anything," Shoaib Akhtar explained. "What was there in the wicket, first tell me that. Pakistan is only a T20 team. They play like T20 and get out like that. They lose five wickets in twenty overs. In T20s also, they score 150-175 and exactly the same in ODIs."
Time-Up For Misbah?
Pakistan's coach Misbah ul Haq's role is also under the scanner. Ramiz Raja came down heavily asking for changes in the coaching staff of Pak cricket. Under Misbah, Pakistan has not performed well anywhere so far.
"The team selection was naive, there are some players who keep getting chances, come may what. There need to be some changes in the national side before the T20I World Cup begins," said Raja.
Trending News
Top Headlines
