'They went down because they are not letting the model set' - Ramiz Raja explains reason behind India's early exit from Asia Cup 2022

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja stated the reason behind India’s shock exit from the Asia Cup 2022 in Super 4 is because they made too many changes to the team. He also said that Pakistan handled certain situations following a particular “winning model” and won games in the tournament.

Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaign with a loss to India in Group A. They won their next group game against Hong Kong and sealed a berth in Super 4. They met India again in the first match of Super 4, which they won by five wickets. That was followed by a win over Afghanistan to seal a spot in the final. India, on the other hand, lost their first two Super 4 games to Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively and won the dead rubber against Afghanistan.

“You have seen the team’s (Pakistan) ranking; the results are also visible,” Raja was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times. “If we compare the teams of India and Pakistan, people have been asking me why am I playing the same combination. You will leave them injured or so.” 

Don’t need experimentation unless you have that kind of bench strength: Ramiz Raja

“My point is that we have handled a particular situation and won games. So, why should I change the winning model,” Raja said. He reckoned the Indian team are not allowing for a model to be set with all the changes in the team, although he admitted that they have a bigger pool of players from which they can experiment.

“India went down only because they are not letting the model set. They are making too many changes. They have a bigger pool of players with which they are experimenting. So, unless you don’t have that kind of bench strength, you don’t need experimentation. You have got a strong position so just hold that and keep winning games," the PCB Chairman added.