After the World cup debacle , lot of teams underwent a significant changes in structure and started considering players suited for the upcoming future of their respective countries. Pakistan too went through similar changes and decided to hand the reigns of Test captainship to left hander batter Shan Masood . Shan Masood led Pakistan to Australian shores where in the first practice match vs the Prime Minister XI he led from front scoring a swashbuckling 201 runs and his intent of playing fast paced cricket raised eyebrows in the eyes of many former Pakistani cricketers
However everything only seemed an oasis when Australia put on their A game against the depleted Pakistani side and thrashed them by 360 runs well within 4 days in the First match of the 3 match Test series .
Such humiliating was the nature of the defeat that after the horrendous efforts in fielding and bowling, the Pakistani batters in the second innings couldn’t withstand the might of hostile Australian attack on the bouncy wicket at Perth getting out for a mere 89 runs all out in the second innings of a test match. No Pakistani batters showed grit determination and intent to face the Australian bowling attack and failed like chips on the cricket field.
This horrendous display of skills irked many former Pakistani cricketers who on their social media went vocal about their teams chances in the remainder of 2 matches in the series.
Shan Masood needs hard work as a captain – Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and commentator Ramiz Raja has asserted that Shan Masood must play a captain’s knock in the remaining two Tests against Australia to establish himself in the role. Ramiz has also urged Babar Azam to rise from his twin failures in Perth and score runs in the remaining Tests.
While Pakistan showed promising performances with the ball, their batting crumbled in the face of Australia’s relentless bowling display in Perth. The visitors conceded a massive lead of 216 in the first innings and crumbled to 89 in the fourth innings on a spiteful track.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 61-year-old Ramiz Raja predicts more tough times for Masood ahead and reckons he must let his bat do the talking.
“Shan Masood needs hard work as a captain, as a leader because this is going to be a tough series for him. Until he gives a statement with his bat, he won’t be able to establish himself in the dressing room or on the opposition. Similarly, Babar Azam needs to be seated and encouraged because when captaincy is taken away from you, you tend to go low [on motivation],” said Ramiz Raja.
Babar Azam the mainstay of the Pakistan batting attack is yet to score a half century in Tests in 2023 .Babar’s failure in Perth hit Pakistan the most as he edged twice to the keeper against deliveries he could have left.
The former Pakistani opener who was the part of the famous 1992 World Cup win down under and toured Australia on several occasions as a player and commentator has also flagged concerns around Sarfraz Ahmed’s spot and feels that Mohammad Rizwan could be a better option for Aussie pitches.
“We need to re access Sarfaraz’s role again. I think, facing top pace bowling in Australia will be challenging with the bat for him. Pakistan needs to quickly assess whether to play Sarfaraz because we need his all-round ability, not only as a keeper behind the stumps but also as a batsman, or do we play Rizwan because he plays pace bowling well,” he explained
The second Test between Australia and Pakistan begins on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and it would be interesting to see how Pakistan bounces back from its defeat vs the mighty Australians in their own backyard.