Pakistan on Sunday meekly surrendered to Australia in the PAK vs AUS 1st Test match, losing by a huge margin of 360 runs to trail in the 3-match Test series. The Aussies proved too good for Pakistan, as Shaan Masood’s team were outplayed on every department by the hosts. Pakistan’s manner of the loss has got many individuals criticising the visiting team. Former Pakistan cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja is no exception.
“Intent and technique were both missing from Pak’s ‘resistance menu’. Blown away in just 31overs in the second knock was disappointing. Aussies were on another level…,” Raja wrote on X (previously Twitter) following Pakistan’s defeat.
Pakistan had a horrible start to the Australia tour right from Day One of the first Test in Perth. David Warner scored a magnificent century put Pakistan on the backfoot. Mitchell Marsh ably assisted Warner as Australia finished their first innings on 487. Debutant Aamer Jamal was perhaps the only shining light for Pakistan in the first innings, taking a six-wicket haul.
Pakistan in reply put up some resistance in the form of Imam-ul-Haq but it wasn’t enough as the visiting team were bowled out for 271, well short of Australia’s first innings score.
Australia declared at 233 in the second innings, posting a target of mammoth 450 runs for Pakistan to score in the fourth innings.
The target was tough, but Pakistan tumbled like a pack of cards. The visitors were bowled out for 89 with Saud Shakeel top-scoring for Pakistan with 24.
The manner of the defeat has not gone down well with Pakistan supporters, with former player Ramiz Raja criticising the ‘intent and technique’ of Pakistan players.
It remains to be seen if the criticism helps Pakistan in making a comeback in the next Test.