Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja highlighted the deep-rooted systemic failures that led to national team’s crushing innings-and-103-run defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley.
Raja warned that Pakistan cricket is going through "desperate times", identifying several critical failures. He noted the "disenchanted" fan base, with Pakistan losing major chunk of their last 20 Test matches.
Raja also pointed to one-dimensional selection that lacks versatility, saying the team has relied too heavily on tailor-made home pitches and has actively neglected fast-bowling resources.
“The first pillar has fallen and that is the fans; they are disenchanted, they are not going to back this team and who would? If you lose 17 Tests in the last 20 you have played, nobody is going to back this team," Raja said while speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special.
“You try to produce a one-dimensional team that can only win on select surfaces. You’ve discouraged pace bowling and because so many players want to play T20s because it is a route to success, they are just not bothered about playing Tests," he added.
Raja minced no words and claimed that Pakistan’s domestic circuit is failing to churn out high-quality, technically sound cricketers capable of handling disciplined, world-class opposition abroad.
“These are desperate times for Pakistan cricket to make a comeback through pace. It has always been our thing; if you discourage the DNA that completes us, what is the point in then playing Tests?" he questioned.
Coming to the Leeds Test, England hammered Pakistan inside three days to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Invited to bat first, Pakistan’s first innings folded for just 171 runs in 48.1 overs on Day 1. Abdullah Shafique top-scored with 61. England's Josh Tongue ripped through the lineup with brilliant figures of 5/46.
In reply, England posted a commanding 409 runs to secure a massive 238-run lead. Harry Brook top-scored with a blistering 91 off 93 balls, supported by fifties from Jordan Cox (73), Joe Root (66), and Dan Lawrence (51). Pakistan's debutant spinner Ali Usman was a lone bright spot, taking 5/95.
Pakistan's batting woes deepened as they were bowled out for just 135 in their second innings. Jofra Archer (3/50), Ollie Robinson (3/29) and Josh Tongue (3/43) shared nine wickets among them.
