Raja lashes out at Pakistan for below-par performance

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has lashed out at the Pakistan team for its below-par performance in the first ODI against England.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Ramiz said the Pakistan team had made it a habit to give such performances against under-rated teams.

“It was a B team by the way. They didn’t even have players two days before the game due to Covid,” Ramiz said. “They had to bring in a new captain [Ben Stokes], who was in New Zealand, and called players from the County Cricket.

“In such a scenario, it was a given that Pakistan had the upper hand, but as usual we produced such a rubbish performance,” he added.

He criticised the batsmen for poor technique against an ordinary England attack, which did not have any big names.

“I can understand we can lose a wicket or two facing the new ball, but losing all the top order because of poor technique is unacceptable,” the former captain said. He pointed out that the batsmen were playing from the crease which cost them their wickets.