Ramiz Raja calls for improvement in Shaheen and Haris’ bowling performance
In the first One Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and New Zealand on Thursday, Pakistan emerged victorious by chasing down a target of 289 runs with five wickets in hand. Former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja, expressed his criticism of the performance of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, the pace bowlers. Ramiz Raja, during his analysis on his YouTube channel, expressed his concerns over Haris Rauf’s effectiveness in the longer format of the game, citing his lack of pace as a contributing factor.
According to Ramiz Raja, there are doubts about Haris Rauf’s effectiveness as a length bowler. In T20s, he can take wickets easily with good Yorkers or a change of pace.
However, in ODIs, he needs to increase his pace to be more effective. Ramiz Raja has observed that Rauf’s overall pace has decreased, and although he understands the need to conserve energy during long spells, he believes that Rauf needs to increase his pace to be more effective in the format.
In addition, Ramiz Raja emphasized the need for Shaheen Afridi to enhance his average speed of 136 and increase it by a level or two while bowling forward. He explained that on such pitches, one should have a better grasp of their bowling techniques as there is not much sideways movement. Therefore, he suggested that variations, changes of pace, or sheer pace could be utilized to achieve effectiveness.
Despite the criticism, opener Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant century helped Pakistan secure the victory, bringing Pakistan within 34 runs of victory before being finally caught off a miscued shot. Zaman’s innings of 117 runs off 114 balls, comprising 13 boundaries and a six, earned him his ninth ODI hundred.
Imam-ul-Haq and Zaman put on 124 for the first wicket by the 22nd over, negating New Zealand’s attack on a flat Pindi stadium pitch. Once Haq was removed leg-before by spinner Ish Sodhi, Pakistan was carried further toward the target by a 90-run stand between Zaman and skipper Babar Azam.
Babar Azam missed out on a fifty when he edged Adam Milne to wicket-keeper Tom Latham after scoring 49 off 46 deliveries with three boundaries and a six. Pakistan’s innings stumbled as Shan Masood got dismissed for one-off 12 deliveries and Agha Salman for seven. However, Mohammad Rizwan played a crucial knock of 42 runs not out of 34 balls to guide the team to a victory with a boundary.
Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with this victory, and the win marked Pakistan’s 500th in 949 ODIs.
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While Pakistan’s victory was indeed impressive, the criticism by Ramiz Raja on the performance of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi cannot be ignored. The longer format of the game demands a different approach, and it is essential for both bowlers to assess their performances and address their shortcomings before the next match. As Pakistan prepares for the second ODI, it remains to be seen if the team will address these issues and maintain their momentum to secure another victory.
