Cricket

Pakistan's remarkable comeback series victory against England was marred by a post-match controversy involving legendary commentator Ramiz Raja and skipper Shan Masood. Raja's interview with Masood drew criticism on social media, prompting a strong reaction from pacer Mohammad Amir.After Pakistan's opening Test defeat to England, they rallied to win the next two matches and secure a 2-1 series triumph. However, Raja's post-match interview with Masood raised eyebrows."There are two things that you will see. One is how to play on seaming conditions and the other thing is if it is a one-off. How did you achieve this, six losses in a row?" Raja asked Masood.Masood responded: "Ramiz bhai, we needed this win. The nation needed this win and I am really happy for Pakistan."The interview sparked outrage on social media, with many fans criticizing Raja's tone and questioning his motives. Amir also took to Twitter to express his displeasure, calling Raja's comments "unprofessional."Raja later issued a clarification, stating that his intention was not to belittle Masood but to highlight the team's struggles in recent months.Masood, breaking his silence on the matter, said he holds no grudges against Raja. "There are no hard feelings from my side," he told BBC Stumped. "I've always been an open book in front of the media and tried to conduct myself in the best possible way."Masood also addressed the absence of Babar Azam from the second and third Tests against England. He expressed hope that the break would benefit Azam in the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.

Pakistan's Coaching Turmoil: Ramiz Raja Expresses Concerns over Hiring International TalentFormer Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has raised concerns about the challenges Pakistan faces in attracting international coaching talent following the departure of Gary Kirsten as white-ball head coach.Raja's comments come amidst a period of significant upheaval in Pakistan cricket, with Rizwan's appointment as white-ball captain, Kirsten's resignation, and the subsequent hiring of Jason Gillespie as all-format head coach.Speaking to reporters, Raja acknowledged the backlash PCB has faced over Kirsten's resignation. He emphasized the importance of providing clarity to international coaches about their roles and responsibilities."When you search for international coaches, with the kind of backlash that you will probably get from Gary Kirsten's resignation... it's not going to be an easy, straightforward job for Pakistan to hire international talent," Raja said.He added that Kirsten's departure was a setback for Pakistan, as they needed an experienced hand. "It's not great news [Kirsten's departure] because Pakistan needed an experienced hand. From a distance, it doesn't look great just before a tour," Raja said.Kirsten's resignation came just six months into his tenure, without having managed Pakistan in a single ODI match. His primary assignment was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan suffered an early exit in the group stage.Raja's concerns highlight the challenges Pakistan faces in attracting and retaining top-quality international coaches. The PCB has faced criticism for its handling of coaching appointments and its lack of clarity in defining roles and responsibilities.As Pakistan prepares for upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, the PCB will need to address these concerns and find a way to attract and retain the best possible coaching talent to guide the team to success.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been recalled to the national team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, following a brief hiatus due to inconsistent form. The decision to reinstate Azam, who was dropped for the final two Tests of the home series against England, has sparked optimism among experts who believe a single impactful performance could reignite his brilliance.Ramiz Raja, a former Pakistan captain and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed confidence in Azam's ability to rediscover his form and establish himself as a true legend. "Babar has the potential to achieve even greater heights in Test cricket," Raja said. "He excels in white-ball cricket, averaging over 50 in both T20Is and ODIs. Now, he must demonstrate his temperament and prove to the world that he is a modern-day Viv Richards."Raja's comparison to Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman known for his aggressive and match-winning performances, highlights the high expectations placed on Azam. The upcoming tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, will provide Azam with an opportunity to showcase his talent on a global stage.Alongside Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have also been recalled to the squad after being rested for the Test series. The white-ball teams will be led by newly-appointed skipper Mohammad Rizwan, with the exception of the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where Salman Agha will take the reins.Raja expressed his hope that Azam will rediscover his form during the upcoming series, which hold significant importance for Pakistan's cricketing future. "I am confident that Babar will bounce back stronger after his break," Raja said. "He has the talent and determination to lead Pakistan to success."

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has defended his post-match comments to Test team captain Shan Masood, which sparked controversy and criticism. Raja's remarks, particularly his question about Pakistan's six consecutive losses, drew flak from fans and former players, including pacer Mohammad Amir.Raja, speaking on his YouTube channel, clarified that his intention was not to undermine the team's achievement but to explore how they overcame recent struggles. He dismissed the backlash as part of the social media landscape, saying, "Pakistan zinda hi social media pe hai" (Pakistan lives on social media).Raja expressed frustration with how people misinterpret his comments, adding, “If I lived my life based on social media narratives, I wouldn’t be in this field. There are many uninformed opinions from people who haven’t played cricket but act like experts.”He also underlined that he did not intend to question Shan Masood's captaincy and expressed disbelief at how quickly the conversation spiralled into controversy. "When Bangladesh won 2-0, I didn’t ask for anyone to be removed. Why would I question Shan's captaincy after a series win?" Raja argued.Earlier, Mohammad Amir had publicly criticized Raja for his remarks, suggesting that the former chairman should have focused on celebrating the series win rather than bringing up past failures. In a viral video, Amir remarked, “You should celebrate the series win. There is a series-winning captain sitting next to you. You should have asked him about the win, next plans. But you are making fun of him. Have some respect. You are literate people and you should behave like one as well. Where the credit is due, you should give it. I was feeling so bad for Shan. Ramiz has been doing on-air duties for so long now and he has no idea what to ask a winning captain."Raja's comments have sparked a debate about the role of former players in criticizing current teams and players. Some believe that former players have a responsibility to provide constructive criticism, while others argue that they should be more supportive and avoid undermining the team's achievements.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has come under fire for his insensitive and unprofessional behavior towards Pakistan captain Shan Masood during a live television interview following the team's series triumph over England.In the post-match show, Raja, instead of celebrating the team's hard-fought victory, chose to taunt Masood about Pakistan's recent string of losses. He asked Masood, "How did you achieve six losses in a row?" This question was met with widespread criticism from former cricketers and fans alike.Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir was particularly vocal in his condemnation of Raja's behavior. "You should celebrate the series win," Amir said. "There is a series winning captain sitting next to you. You should have asked him about the win, next plans. But you are making fun of him. Have some respect."Raja's behavior was seen as particularly inappropriate given that Pakistan's Test series win over England was their first on home soil since 2021. It was also their first series win over England since 2015.Raja's actions have raised questions about his suitability for his role as a commentator. Many have argued that his personal biases and lack of professionalism make him unfit to provide objective analysis of cricket matches.The incident has also highlighted the importance of respecting players and their achievements. Masood and his team had just accomplished a significant victory, and Raja's taunts were a disrespectful and unnecessary way to treat them.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Ramiz Raja has expressed his disappointment over the pitch prepared for the first Test match against England in Multan, which has resulted in a high-scoring affair with over 1,500 runs scored and only 23 wickets falling across four days.Raja, who is now a commentator, questioned why the pitch was not designed to assist Pakistan's bowling attack, especially considering the team's struggles in recent times. He pointed out that the bowlers have toiled hard but have not been rewarded with wickets."I'm sure bowlers will be questioning the quality of this track because they bend their back and nothing has happened," Raja said. "You start questioning why such a surface was provided and why are we playing on such a surface at home."England took full advantage of the flat pitch, posting a record-breaking first innings total of 823/7 declared. Harry Brook smashed a triple century, while Joe Root scored a double century. The duo helped England overtake Pakistan's first innings total of 556.Raja's criticism echoes the concerns raised by former Pakistan seamer Wasim Akram, who has previously denounced Raja's influence over the types of Test match pitches prepared in Pakistan.The second Test between Pakistan and England will also be played in Multan, before the final Test shifts to Rawalpindi. Given the high-scoring nature of the first Test, the groundstaff may undertake significant work during the gap days to ensure a more balanced contest in the remaining matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in the recently concluded India-Bangladesh Test series has sparked a debate about his status as an all-rounder. Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja believes that the 38-year-old Indian spinner deserves more recognition for his all-round abilities.In the two-match series, Ashwin emerged as the highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah, claiming 11 wickets. With the bat, he scored 114 runs at an impressive strike rate of 83.21. His contributions earned him the 'Player of the Series' award.Raja praised Ashwin's performance, particularly his century in the first innings of the Chennai Test. He also highlighted Ashwin's ability to perform consistently without making a fuss."Ashwin is no less than anyone else," Raja said. "He scores centuries and takes wickets at every opportunity, but he doesn't show too much pride or make any drama."Raja believes that India is the strongest team to beat on their home soil. He noted that Bangladesh lacked the capacity to challenge the Indian team, which won the series comfortably.

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in the recently concluded India-Bangladesh Test series has sparked a debate about his status as an all-rounder. Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja believes that the 38-year-old Indian spinner deserves more recognition for his all-round abilities.In the two-match series, Ashwin emerged as the highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah, claiming 11 wickets. With the bat, he scored 114 runs at a strike rate of 83.21, including a crucial 113-run knock in the first innings of the Chennai Test. His all-round contributions earned him the 'Player of the Series' award.Raja praised Ashwin's performance, highlighting his ability to score centuries and take wickets consistently. He noted that Ashwin's understated demeanor and lack of drama after his achievements further enhance his value as a team player."He is no less than anyone else," Raja said. "He scores a century at every opportunity, takes wickets at every opportunity, and doesn't show too much pride or make any drama."Raja also acknowledged India's dominance on home soil, stating that Rohit Sharma's side is the strongest team to beat in their own backyard. He added that Bangladesh lacked the capacity to challenge India, making a Test match victory a distant dream for the visitors.The match itself saw Bangladesh resume their innings on day four, with Momimul Haque scoring a century to take their total to 233. India responded with a strong batting performance, declaring on 285/9 thanks to quickfire fifties from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.India's bowlers then took control, dismissing Bangladesh for 146. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bumrah shared nine wickets between them. India chased down the target of 95 runs comfortably, with Jaiswal and Virat Kohli leading the way.

India's dominance in world cricket across all formats over the past five years has been widely recognized by legendary players. One of the key factors attributed to this success is the emergence of quality fast bowlers, a traditional weakness for India.Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja praised India's all-round strength, highlighting their ability to recover from adversity. On the first day of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, India was reduced to 34 for 3 and then 144 for 6, but they rallied to post a competitive 376."India has become a great team," said Raja. "They don't lose when they play at home."Ravichandran Ashwin's attacking century and his 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (86) played a crucial role in India's recovery. Ashwin's century and Jadeja's 80s helped India score at a brisk pace and put pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.Raja also praised the five-wicket haul of young pacer Hasan Mahmud, but noted that Bangladesh needs an all-round bowling strength to challenge teams like India.After being bowled out on the second morning, India took control with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah struck in the first over to remove Shadman Islam, and Akash Deep took two wickets off consecutive deliveries to reduce Bangladesh to 26 for 3 at lunch.India's dominance is a testament to their depth and quality in all departments. The emergence of fast bowlers has added a new dimension to their game, making them a formidable force in world cricket.