‘Fast bowling reputation finished, everyone’s speed has gone down’ – Ramiz Raja laments Pakistan’s declining fast-bowling prowess

Ramiz Raja and Pakistan Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ramiz Raja expressed his disappointment after Pakistan lost to Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the first Test in Rawalpindi on Sunday, August 25. This was Bangladesh’s first Test match victory against Pakistan and it has catapulted them to No. 6 on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

Raja was particularly unhappy with how Pakistan’s fast bowlers lacked penetration throughout the Test match. The hosts had picked four pacers – Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali in their playing XI, with all-rounder Agha Salman and part-timers Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel performing spin-bowling duties.

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Pakistan declared at 448/6 in their first innings but Mushfiqur Rahim’s marathon 191-run knock helped the tourists amass 565 in reply. In the second innings, the hosts were blown away for 146, before Bangladesh made light work of a 30-run target.

Raja, who is a former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, noted that during last year’s Asia Cup, India showed that the Pakistani bowlers can be taken for runs if the batters play aggressively against them.

“The fast bowling reputation has finished. The debacle started during the Asia Cup. The confidence crisis in this bowling lineup, especially in fast bowling, started from the match against India. Our fast bowlers were thrashed in seaming conditions. Then the entire world figured out that if they are attacked, this bowling attack is not of the same standard as its reputation,” Raja said while speaking on his YouTube show.

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India posted 356 for 2 on the back of centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul on a good sporting pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo last year in the match that Raja referred to. In reply, Pakistan were rolled over for 128.

“Everyone’s speed has gone down and the skill level is not there. The Bangladesh fast bowlers looked more penetrative. Our bowlers are mostly looking to enjoy or create drama after picking up a wicket rather than create their reputation through performance,” the 1992 World Cup winner added.