Ramiz Raja shares off-air chat with Babar Azam

Former cricketer and commentator Ramiz Raja shared an off-air discussion with Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, after losing to Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup match in Chennai on Monday.

During the conversation, Ramiz questioned Babar Azam about the decision to use spinners in the 42nd and 46th overs during the match. He suggested that placing fast bowlers in those overs could have yielded better results, potentially leading to the capture of one or two wickets. 

Babar Azam's response, as revealed by Ramiz, was that he opted for spinners because the ball was spinning.

"I asked Babar Azam off-air before the presentation that why did you play spinners in the 42nd or 46th over, especially when Hassan Ali was getting the reverse swing. If you had placed fast bowlers in those overs, you might have bagged one or two wickets and get into the rhythm. But he said the ball was spinning, so he played spinners," Ramiz said.

I asked him off air why is he bowling spinners in 42nd or 46th over and he said the ball/pitch was helping spinners - Ramiz on Babar pic.twitter.com/K7de3jz96P

— Ghumman (@emclub77) October 24, 2023

Ramiz further stated that Pakistan's recent string of losses can only be rectified through strong leadership. He emphasized that Babar's body language appeared "down," suggesting that this downturn in demeanor could negatively affect the entire team's morale and performance.

"Spinners can't help you when they have been below par. Only leadership can get Pakistan back on the saddle after losing three matches. Sadly I have to say that Babar Azam's body language is really down. And if he is down, then team will be down too," he concluded.

Standing on the verge of elimination with just two wins in five matches, Pakistan will next face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.