‘Only Pakistan could have lost from that position’ – Ramiz Raja on team’s debacle in Manchester Test

Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan cricketer, said that he wasn’t surprised by the fact that Pakistan lost the opening Test against England after getting the opposition on the mat. When Shaheen Shah Afridi got rid of Ollie Pope with a delivery, that kicked off from a length, the Brits needed 160 runs with half their batting lineup back to the hut. However, fate had other plans for Azhar Ali and Co.

Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler weren’t in the greatest of forms with the bat coming into the game at the Old Trafford in Manchester. However, the duo got the home team within touching distance of a victory. Even as Buttler got out on 75, Woakes saw his team through with an unbeaten 84.

Raza felt that Pakistan couldn’t bowl with a plan while Woakes and Buttler were creaming their bowling lineup. Though Yasir Shah bowled his heart out and got rid of Buttler and Stuart Broad with England close to the target, it wasn’t enough.

Pakistan were little confused during that partnership: Ramiz Raza

“Only Pakistan could have lost from that position. With such a lead they may have thought 250 would be enough to roll over England. With five wickets down and big guns back in the pavilion at 117, allowing over 100-run (139 runs) partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes is the disappointing part. Mind you, Buttler was playing for his position in the XI,” Raja told to Mumbai Mirror.

“Pakistan were little confused during that partnership. This has been happening with Pakistan quite often unfortunately. It was a superb partnership no doubt but why did Pakistan allow it? There is a reason their ranking is low in Tests (No 7),” he added.

Raza was of the opinion that the coaching personnel should step in as Azhar, their skipper, isn’t in the best of form. Azhar got scores of 0 and 18, being dismissed LBW on both instances by Woakes.

“When you got a captain, who is not in great form, the coaching staff has to be more proactive. Also, they get good perspective sitting outside. England were allowed to take easy singles, close to 40 singles were taken by Buttler and Woakes through point,” Raja stated.