Ramiz Raja gives Pakistan blunt assessment after loss to India

Former Cricket World Cup winner Ramiz Raja has blasted Pakistan following their crushing seven-wicket loss to arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad. Ramiz slammed Pakistan for failing to live up to the occasion and compete with India in their highly-anticipated clash, while revealing concern for what the loss could mean for his former side’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign.

Pakistan looked on track to set India a challenging target as captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan carried them to 155/2 before a stunning collapse had them all out for 191. Skipper Rohit Sharma (86) then led the way as India brushed aside the Pakistan attack to clinch an emphatic victory with almost 20 overs to spare.

“This should hurt Pakistan because they weren’t able to compete,” Ramiz said on the latest episode of The ICC Review podcast. “When you’re playing against India obviously 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. “If you can’t win, then at least compete. Pakistan weren’t able to do that.”

With two early victories Pakistan are still well-placed in the Cricket World Cup standings as they eye a critical top-four finish to secure a semi-final berth. But Pakistan have little margin for error in their remaining six matches starting with a high-stakes clash against Australia on 20 Australia. Ramiz pinpointed what Pakistan need to do to learn from the bitter defeat to their rivals and then quickly turn their focus toward their remaining matches.