Ramiz Raja Criticizes Babar Azam After Reckless Dismissal vs Bangladesh
A Troubling Dismissal in a Crucial Series
The Pakistan cricket team continues to face significant scrutiny following a series of disappointing performances. The latest point of contention stems from the second Test match against Bangladesh, where former Pakistan captain and commentator Ramiz Raja voiced strong criticism regarding Babar Azam’s dismissal. Despite showing glimpses of his potential, Azam’s exit from the crease was described as reckless, leaving the middle order exposed and the team in a precarious position.
The Context of the Collapse
Pakistan’s batting lineup has struggled for consistency throughout the series against Bangladesh. The team has failed to surpass the total scores posted by the opposition across all three innings played thus far, a statistic that reflects the deep-seated issues within the squad. Currently sitting in eighth place in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings—further hampered by an eight-point penalty due to a slow over-rate in a previous match—the road to the WTC final looks increasingly unlikely for Pakistan.
Babar Azam returned to the playing XI for the second Test, replacing Imam-ul-Haq after recovering from an injury. While he initially steadied the innings with a half-century—his 20th in WTC history, putting him level with the likes of Zak Crawley and Steve Smith—the joy was short-lived. His eventual dismissal, while batting on 68, proved to be the turning point that triggered a familiar collapse.
Ramiz Raja’s Blunt Assessment
Ramiz Raja did not mince his words when discussing the dismissal. He argued that a batter of Azam’s experience should possess the technical acumen to navigate changing bowling speeds. The lanky Bangladesh pacer, Nahid Rana, utilized a subtle change in pace to deceive the star batter, leading to a top-edge that was safely pouched by Mushfiqur Rahim at mid-on.
“You’ve spoiled the whole session by giving away your wicket,” Raja remarked during his analysis. “You’ve been playing for Pakistan for so long now that you’ve tackled the pace of 149 kph; therefore, you should know that the bowler will slow down his pace in the middle, but you don’t have any plan for it. The pace is both his strength and weakness, and smart teams know his weaknesses. He had to work on it.”
A Pattern of Vulnerability
The criticism highlights a recurring issue for the Pakistan batting unit. While Azam was the only top-order batter to surpass 30 runs, his inability to convert a promising start into a match-defining innings left the team vulnerable. Following his departure, the lower-middle order failed to stabilize the innings. Despite a brief, spirited cameo from spinner Sajid Khan, Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 232, trailing by 46 runs.
This performance comes on the back of a series-opening loss, which has already dealt a massive blow to Pakistan’s WTC aspirations. Captain Shan Masood had previously cited a lack of impact from the pace attack and inconsistent rhythm as primary reasons for their failures. However, when the batting unit, led by their premier player, fails to adapt to the tactical adjustments of the opposition, the pressure on the entire team inevitably mounts.
Looking Ahead
As the series progresses, the focus will remain on how the Pakistan coaching staff and players address these technical shortcomings. Babar Azam remains a cornerstone of the batting order, but as highlighted by critics, even world-class players must evolve their game to counter the sophisticated plans set by international bowling attacks. Whether this feedback leads to a change in approach in future matches remains to be seen, but for now, the frustration among fans and analysts alike is palpable as Pakistan seeks to salvage its pride in the remaining stages of the contest.
