Pakistan collapsed on a 400-run pitch: Ramiz Raja  

Pakistan’s former cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja, in a Youtube video on Friday, criticised the Men in Green after an ordinary performance against England in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Cardiff on Thursday, stating that the visitors managed just 141 runs on a 400-run pitch.  

The 58-year-old called Pakistan’s performance rubbish while pointing out the technical flaws in the batsmen.  

“It was a very ordinary day for Pakistan. I would say it was a rubbish performance. They made 140 on 400-run pitch. There was nothing in this pitch. I can agree that the new ball could have caused some problems. You can lose one or two wickets early but losing four to five wickets that early because of faulty techniques really stings. Why was the technique wrong? Because they were playing from the crease. Whether it was Imam, Babar, Rizwan or Saud, they were all stuck in the crease whereas you have to come forward in England,” Raja said.  

The former batsman claimed that Pakistan was the only team that could present an ordinary team as a formidable side.  

“I think it is only the Pakistan team that can present an ordinary team as a big team on the world stage. This was England's B team. Two days ago, they didn’t even have all of their players because of the Covid-19 situation in their dressing room. They had to bring in a new captain [Ben Stokes] who was in New Zealand. Many of their players had played one innings in county cricket. They had to bring all these players in to represent England. It was a given in this environment that Pakistan would win. England’s big names were all missing. But our habits have been solidified and we sometimes shock the entire world with our performances against all odds,” he said.  

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“There is a saying now in England that you see the ball early and play late. So, you don’t commit yourself against a swinging ball. You need to let it come on. This however did not happen. Everyone played from the crease. We did not see any resistance. The body language was so weak. It seemed like they were tip toeing their way around and were coming out to bat for the first time. Nobody expected this performance,” he concluded. 

The second match of the three-game series will be played at Lord’s on Saturday.