Ramiz Raja Reveals Off Air Talk With Babar Azam After Afghanistan Defeat

Following Pakistan’s loss to Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup match in Chennai on Monday, the ex-cricketer and commentator, Ramiz Raja, engaged in a private conversation with Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam.

In their discussion, Ramiz inquired about Babar Azam’s rationale for deploying spinners in the 42nd and 46th overs during the game. Ramiz suggested that opting for fast bowlers in those specific overs might have produced more favorable outcomes, potentially resulting in the acquisition of one or two wickets.

As per Ramiz’s revelation, Babar Azam’s response was that he chose to employ spinners due to the ball’s spinning nature.

Also Read: Babar Azam Reveals The Reason Behind Pakistan’s Historic Defeat Against Afghanistan

Ramiz explained, “I approached Babar Azam off-air before the presentation and questioned his choice of spinners in the 42nd and 46th over, particularly when Hassan Ali was successfully generating reverse swing. If fast bowlers had been utilized in those overs, it could have potentially led to capturing a wicket or two and established a better rhythm. However, Babar’s reasoning was that the ball was spinning, and that’s why he stuck with spinners.”

Ramiz went on to express his belief that Pakistan’s recent series of losses can solely be rectified through robust leadership. He underscored that Babar Azam’s demeanor seemed noticeably deflated, suggesting that this decline in his attitude could adversely affect the overall morale and performance of the entire team.

“Spinners won’t be able to contribute effectively when they have been below their usual standard. It’s strong leadership that can guide Pakistan back to success after experiencing three consecutive losses.

Unfortunately, I must point out that Babar Azam’s body language is currently quite negative, and if he’s down, it could potentially drag the entire team down as well,” Ramiz concluded.

With only two wins in five matches, Pakistan is teetering on the brink of elimination. Their next match is against South Africa in Chennai on Friday.