Ramiz Raja questions Shan's batting and captaincy

He criticizes Pakistan's performance, questioning the decision to go without a spinner

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has expressed his disappointment with the Pakistan cricket team, after their defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test match held in Rawalpindi.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Raja criticized Pakistan's performance and questioned the team's decision-making, especially the choice to field five pacers without including a spinner.

Raja also expressed his concerns about Shan Masood's captaincy, noting that the team is currently on a losing streak.

"Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions things are tougher and the Pakistan team couldn't win a series there. But you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well," he said.

He did not hold back in his criticism of both the batting and bowling units.

"Neither did the batters apply themselves and the bowlers were horrendous. Masood needs to improve his batting and needs to show that you have some knowledge of the game," he said.

Raja also warned that Masood's place in the team could be in jeopardy if he doesn't improve his performance.

"He needs to work on his batting. It's not like he is a great captain and so if he keeps getting out ducks, he would still have his place in the side. Losing makes a huge dent in the team and the morale of the side. You cannot lose the series. Pakistan cricket is already under a lot of pressure. A series loss would mean tension in the dressing room, there will be a lot of criticism and questions raised," he said.

The former PCB chief also pointed out that Pakistan's decision to rely solely on fast bowlers backfired, exposing a deeper issue within the team.

"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," Raja said.

He further elaborated on the decline in Pakistan's fast bowling prowess, attributing it to a confidence crisis that began during the Asia Cup when India's aggressive approach against Pakistani pacers revealed their vulnerabilities.

"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," he said.

The former cricketer also noted a drop in the speed and skill set of Pakistan's fast bowlers, contrasting them with Bangladesh's pacers, who appeared more effective in the Rawalpindi Test.

"Their speeds have decreased, and so have their skill set. The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets," he said.

"Since Pakistan did not have an out-and-out fast bowler on that track, even Bangladesh, with that line-up stood tall against our pacers with speeds around 125 to 135kmph," he concluded.