Former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja, slammed the Pakistani pace attack for their performances in the three-match T20I series against Ireland. The Men in Green lost their first game by five wickets as the bowling failed to defend 182 runs with Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector and George Dockrell playing great knocks.
Then in the second match, Pakistan went on to concede 193 at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin with Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher and George Delany playing vital knocks. On the bowling front, the pacers picked up wickets, they went for runs. Hence Raja was among many who criticised the Pakistani pace attack despite the win.
It will become hard: Raja rips into Pakistan's fast bowlers
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja said, "They conceded 200 runs against Ireland and it seemed as if our bowlers were behind, If they had taken the catches of Rizwan and Zaman it would have become difficult for Pakistan to chase the target. Pakistan's top bowlers giving away so many runs against Ireland, then it will become hard for the team in future."
"Pakistan's forte, and success are based on the bowlers, especially pacers, they have been struggling since last year's World Cup in India. Two balls are good and then three deliveries are bad, this makes the situation tough," Ramiz added.
If you look at the average, you are an average player: Rizwan
Talking about his match-winning 75 in 46 balls, Mohammad Rizwan talked about how he planned to attack. He said, "If you look at the whole match, they played really well. So have to credit them guys."
"Chasing 194 is not easy as Ireland know the conditions and they gave difficult time early on but we decide to attack and this is why we were successful. You always feel pressure when we lose. I don't look at my numbers, if you look at the average, you are an average player. If you look at the match situation and the conditions then it's better," Rizwan added.