Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed concerns over Pakistan’s strategy in the ICC Champions Trophy after their six-wicket loss to India on Sunday. Raja raised questions about the team’s decision to face New Zealand in their opening match, suggesting that playing Bangladesh first would have been a more favorable option.
Pakistan’s Opening Match Dilemma
Raja questioned the logic behind starting the tournament against New Zealand instead of Bangladesh, which he considered a relatively easier opponent. In his view, playing against Bangladesh would have put equal pressure on both teams in Group A, rather than giving New Zealand an early advantage.
“I wonder why Pakistan played their first match against New Zealand. They should have played their first match against Bangladesh. Even though Bangladesh is a strong side, it was still comparatively an easy match for them,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.
Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand added unnecessary pressure on the team, and this was further compounded by their defeat to India in the high-stakes match.
Virat Kohli’s Masterclass
The loss to India was largely influenced by Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance. Kohli’s unbeaten century, combined with his calm yet attacking approach, played a pivotal role in India’s victory. Pakistan’s title defense was left hanging by a thread after the defeat, and they are now in a precarious position in the tournament.
Ramiz Raja praised Kohli’s innings, calling it a complete package. “Virat’s knock had everything. There was calmness and attack. He maintained the pace well. Overall, Virat Kohli was a complete package. He keeps on challenging himself. He played confidently against every bowler and didn’t allow anyone to settle,” Ramiz said.
With their back-to-back defeats, Pakistan now faces an uphill battle to stay in the competition. The team’s strategy and approach will come under further scrutiny as they prepare for their upcoming matches. However, the performance of India and the brilliance of players like Kohli serve as a reminder of the high standards that Pakistan must meet to compete at this level.
Ramiz’s comments on Pakistan’s strategy and Kohli’s brilliance highlight the critical factors that contributed to Pakistan’s current position in the Champions Trophy. The loss to India and the early misstep against New Zealand have put Pakistan’s tournament hopes on the line, leaving the team with much to reflect on as they move forward.
