Pakistan should, in my opinion, leave their bowling reputation behind them: Ramiz Raja 

Pakistan 2023 ODI World Cup campaign has ended. Pakistan nearly missed out on qualifying for the tournament’s knockout stages, finishing in fifth place in the rankings following a lackluster performance throughout.

The Men in Green’s World Cup performance was very well-received. Numerous commentators expressed their opinions about potential changes that the team could make in their pursuit of the championship, and former Pakistani cricketer Ramiz Raja recently joined the debate.

Raja spoke up about their performances and said Pakistan should leave their past with the ball behind them. After pointing out how costly both Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were in the competition, he even continued by saying that the team needs to find alternatives for them.

“Not really,” Raja said, expressing some happiness at seeing Pakistan play in the World Cup. Mohammad Wasim Jr. appeared to be a decent No. 3 bowler for Pakistan; he was effective in spurts. Raja told Star Sports, “He hits the ball hard and has a healthy approach.

Furthermore, I believe Pakistan should leave their bowling reputation behind them. They were constrained since every game needed to feature Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. And consider how costly they have become. Pakistan must explore alternatives,” he continued.

Opportunities and alternatives exist: Ramiz Raja

The former cricket player added that there are many players out there who have the potential to join the national squad. The former cricket player emphasized the significance of putting the team’s reputation behind them, characterizing their performance as inconsistent during the ODI World Cup 2023.

On the domestic circuit, there are about 13 or 14 fast bowlers who can reach speeds of above 140 kmph. Therefore, Pakistan needs to look past their reputation and focus on the men who truly want it, rather than worrying about their form, numbers, or reputation. There are options and chances accessible. This erratic performance was sometimes the result of Pakistan’s lack of desire for it, according to Ramiz Raja.