Ramiz Raja Criticizes Pakistan Cricket Team After 4-Run Loss to New Zealand

Former Pakistan cricket captain Ramiz Raja has criticized the national team's performance following their 4-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Lahore on Monday. Raja urged the team to concentrate on winning matches instead of experimenting with player positions.

Pakistan fell short in their chase of New Zealand's target of 179 runs, finishing on 174-8 despite a strong performance from opener Fakhar Zaman who scored 61 runs. The visitors were able to defend their total thanks to impressive bowling from William O'Rourke, who claimed 3-27, and Ben Sears, who took crucial wickets in the final overs.

The loss is a setback for Pakistan as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. It was their second defeat in the five-match series, leaving New Zealand with an unassailable 2-1 lead heading into the final game on April 27.

Raja, who served as the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman until last year, labeled the team's changes as "so-called experimentation" and stressed the importance of prioritizing winning. "The same players are involved but their roles and positions have been altered," he said. "They need to concentrate on winning matches instead of using the excuse of testing the bench strength."

Why this matters: The criticism from Raja, a respected figure in Pakistan cricket, highlights the pressure on the team to perform consistently and the scrutiny they face from former players and fans. The series loss to New Zealand raises questions about Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup and their ability to compete against top teams.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged that the team had planned to test their bench strength but admitted the batting collapse cost them the match. "The youngsters did well with the ball, but we collapsed with the bat," he said. Azam's own poor form has been a concern, as he has scored just 51 runs in the three matches played so far.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif also weighed in on the team's struggles, hinting at possible off-field distractions affecting their performance. "Matters outside the game can detract from players' abilities to perform during matches," Latif suggested, without elaborating on the specific issues.

Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride and fine-tune their combinations in the final T20I against New Zealand on Thursday. With the T20 World Cup squad selection on the horizon, the players will be keen to make a strong impression and secure their spots in the team. As Azam noted, "We have plenty to think about after losing two games in a row, especially with the World Cup coming up."

Key Takeaways

• Ramiz Raja criticizes Pakistan's "experimentation" over winning matches.
• Pakistan lost 4-run defeat to NZ in 4th T20I, trailing 2-1 in series.
• Pressure on Pakistan ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup, questions over team's form.
• Babar Azam admits batting collapse cost them, his own poor form a concern.
• Pakistan aim to salvage pride in final T20I, with World Cup squad selection looming.