Srinagar: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has lashed out at Pakistan cricket team for its embarrassing defeat vs 3rd tier New Zealand cricket team in 3rd T20I.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Raja said that Pakistan should not lose to a depleted New Zealand side on home soil.
“Losing is a part of cricket, but such a defeat shakes the foundation a bit, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. Playing at home, on your favourite surface, against a team that isn’t even a complete side – not a first-tier or even a second-tier New Zealand team – makes it an embarrassing loss,” Raja said.
“Let’s admit that in T20, anyone’s luck can change, but such a drastic turn of tables within 24 hours is a blow to Pakistan’s reputation. For some time now, there has been a notion that one can expect anything from Pakistan on a giver day. Just 24 hours ago, Pakistan defeated them by 7 wickets, and 24 hours later, they suffered a 7-wicket defeat,” he added.
He also urged the Pakistan batters to not throw away their wickets after getting set.
“This should not happen. The batsmen are set should not get out after scoring just 20-30 runs. That’s why the score is only 180. This pitch is worth at least 250 runs, as we know how many runs have been scored here before. Pakistan scored fewer runs, and no one played a long innings. The bowling performance was also quite mediocre,” he said.
In the 3rd T20I of the series, New Zealand on the back of a sensational inning from Mark Chapman beat Pakistan by 7 wickets to level series.