Ramiz Raja concerned with Pakistan batsmen struggling against short balls

Pakistan have done splendidly in the T20I format after beating Australia and New Zealand in six consecutive matches. However, their form in the 50-overs version hasn’t been impressive by any stretch of the imagination. Sarfraz Ahmed and Co were beaten black and blue in the Asia Cup where they couldn’t even qualify for the final following defeats against India and Bangladesh.

Recently, the Men in Green played the first ODI of the series against the Black Caps. After whitewashing the Kiwis in the T20I series, they crashed to a defeat by 47 runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Kiwis racked up 266 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Half-centuries from Ross Taylor and Tom Latham propelled the visiting team’s score.

A worried Ramiz Raja

The run-chase started on a horrendous note for the team as fast bowler Trent Boult ripped the heart out of their top-order with a hattrick in the third over, his second. The left-arm bowler nipped out Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez to push the hosts behind the 8-ball. Thereafter, the middle and lower order tried to resurrect the innings, but their efforts went in vain.

They were eventually bowled out for 219 in the 48th over. In the meantime, Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistani cricketer and current commentator, sounded worried about the technique of their batsmen, especially while playing short deliveries. Moreover, he is also concerned about how the Pakistani batsmen would perform in the South Africa tour later this year.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “When will Pakistan batsmen & batting staff realise that batting woes stem from lack of ability & technique against the short ball..Not a single batsman in this team pulls or hooks…not even good at leaving them. Top order will be gobbled up in SA if they don’t pay heed to it,”

Here is Raja’s tweet

When will Pakistan batsmen & batting staff realise that batting woes stem from lack of ability & technique against the short ball..Not a single batsman in this team pulls or hooks…not even good at leaving them. Top order will be gobbled up in SA if they don’t pay heed to it.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) November 8, 2018

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