Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja slammed the side’s display against India in a World Cup fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. India bundled Pakistan out for mere 191 runs, collapsing from 155/2 at one stage, and romped to victory by 7-wickets with 117 balls to spare.
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Raja termed the defeat as ‘scarring’ and a ‘pasting’ for the Pakistan cricket team captained by Babar Azam.
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“It’s going to hurt them. It’s scarring, it’s a pasting, it’s a battering and they’ve been outpaced and outplayed in all the three departments,” Raja told the ICC Review Podcast.
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“If you can’t win, then at least compete. Pakistan weren’t able to do that,” he said.
The defeat was Pakistan’s eighth straight against India in World Cup matches. Raja stressed Pakistan would need to find a way to end the streak – if they meet again in the tournament.
“It’s a reality and Pakistan have got to do something about it. They can’t be termed as ‘chokers’ against India because that’s not a great tag to have. Somehow, it’s a mental block, it’s a skill block as well,” said Raja, member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning squad.
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Raja, 61, said Pakistan need to rise above the pressure that comes with facing Men in Blue, especially with the current edition taking place in India.
“When you’re playing against India, it’s such an environment where it’s 99 per cent India fans and crowds, you’re obviously overwhelmed. I understand all of that.”
“But Babar Azam has led this side for a good four or five years, so you’ve got to rise to the occasion,” he added.
Ramiz Raja urged Pakistan to learn from India in how to handle such high profile matches and tense moments.
“Credit to India for maintaining their presence in World Cup competitions against Pakistan. It’s not an easy match for India also because there are emotions involved, there are expectations involved.”
“Then you’re supposed to win because it has been happening for so many years that this can get you under a little bit of extra pressure. But they’ve handled it so well,” he said.
With two wins and four points in their tally, Pakistan still are very much in the mix to enter the World Cup semi-finals.
“Babar Azam and the senior players will have to rally around some of the young kids and have got to find an answer.”
“They’ve got to be brutally honest in those team meetings. I think that is where Pakistan need to start,” he said.
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