"Disappointment Written Large...": Ramiz Raja On Chat With Babar Azam After 'Massive Disaster' At Cricket World Cup

The aftermath of Pakistan's defeat against Afghanistan in a Cricket World Cup 2023 match has seen Babar Azam facing relentless criticism over his captaincy. Since the start of the World Cup, the Pakistan skipper has struggled to deliver his best with bat, prompting many to suggest that he should give up the leadership role. Even former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja feels Babar isn't as tactically apt as he should be to lead the national team. Ramiz, who also interviewed Babar after the Afghanistan match, said that disappointment was written all over the Pakistan captain's face in the presentation ceremony.

"Pakistan have a lot of problems to deal with. Babar Azam needs to improve a lot tactically. Hasan Ali was getting the ball to reverse towards the back end of the innings. The equation was run-a-ball at that stage. Pakistan needed wickets, and Hasan Ali looked very close to getting a dismissal. What was the need to bowl a spinner from the other end?," Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.

Calling the loss against Afghanistan a 'disaster', Ramiz said that the result is going to hurt the Pakistan team badly as they team had never suffered such a defeat.

"It was a massive disaster for Pakistan in this World Cup. Losing to Afghanistan will hurt badly. The disappointment was written large on Babar Azam's face when I interviewed him... Pakistan have never dealt with a surprising defeat like this one before," Ramiz asserted.

The Pakistan legend also called for a change in the team's DNA after the World Cup concludes.

"After this World Cup, there has to be a serious discussion about altering the DNA of this team. They need a complete overhaul in terms of mindset, approach, new talent, and new ideas. We need to improve on each and every aspect. Pakistan have hit rock bottom. Babar Azam needs to step up and prove himself as a leader amid all this," Ramiz said.

Topics mentioned in this article

Pakistan Cricket Team Afghanistan Ramiz Raja Babar Azam Cricket