Ramiz Raja defends Shan Masood: Can't expect miracles from ordinary players
Ramiz Raja defended Shan Masood following his removal as Pakistan's Test captain, arguing that no skipper can be expected to deliver results with an underperforming side.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has come out strongly in defence of Shan Masood following his removal as the country's Test skipper, arguing that no captain can be expected to deliver consistent success with an underperforming team.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this month replaced Masood with Babar Azam ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and England, bringing an end to a turbulent 16-match stint at the helm.
Masood, who succeeded Babar as Test captain in late 2023, oversaw a difficult period for Pakistan cricket. Under his leadership, the team won only four of their 16 Tests, losing 12, including a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh earlier this year.
However, Ramiz believes the criticism directed at Masood is unfair, insisting that the problems run much deeper than the captaincy.
“You give him an ordinary Test team and then expect him to produce good results,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.
“If I had been in Shan's place, I would have submitted a written protest with the board that when a captain is consistently given a group of ordinary players consistently then how can you expect positive results?”
The former PCB chairman also questioned the logic behind holding the captain solely responsible for Pakistan's struggles in the longest format.
“If the standard of the Test squad is not good, how is the captain only responsible for this,” he added.
BABAR AZAM RETURNS AS PAKISTAN SEEK FRESH START
The PCB's decision to reinstate Babar marks his second stint as Pakistan's Test captain. The star batter had previously led the side between 2020 and 2023 before stepping down across formats following Pakistan's disappointing ODI World Cup campaign in India.
Pakistan selectors defended the leadership change by pointing to the team's poor results under Masood, with selector Aaqib Javed admitting that the board had not seen the progress it had hoped for during his tenure.
Babar will now lead Pakistan in a two-Test series against the West Indies later this month before the team travels to England for a five-match series in August and September. The squad for both tours includes several fresh faces, with four uncapped players earning call-ups.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has come out strongly in defence of Shan Masood following his removal as the country's Test skipper, arguing that no captain can be expected to deliver consistent success with an underperforming team.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this month replaced Masood with Babar Azam ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and England, bringing an end to a turbulent 16-match stint at the helm.
Masood, who succeeded Babar as Test captain in late 2023, oversaw a difficult period for Pakistan cricket. Under his leadership, the team won only four of their 16 Tests, losing 12, including a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh earlier this year.
However, Ramiz believes the criticism directed at Masood is unfair, insisting that the problems run much deeper than the captaincy.
“You give him an ordinary Test team and then expect him to produce good results,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.
“If I had been in Shan's place, I would have submitted a written protest with the board that when a captain is consistently given a group of ordinary players consistently then how can you expect positive results?”
The former PCB chairman also questioned the logic behind holding the captain solely responsible for Pakistan's struggles in the longest format.
“If the standard of the Test squad is not good, how is the captain only responsible for this,” he added.
BABAR AZAM RETURNS AS PAKISTAN SEEK FRESH START
The PCB's decision to reinstate Babar marks his second stint as Pakistan's Test captain. The star batter had previously led the side between 2020 and 2023 before stepping down across formats following Pakistan's disappointing ODI World Cup campaign in India.
Pakistan selectors defended the leadership change by pointing to the team's poor results under Masood, with selector Aaqib Javed admitting that the board had not seen the progress it had hoped for during his tenure.
Babar will now lead Pakistan in a two-Test series against the West Indies later this month before the team travels to England for a five-match series in August and September. The squad for both tours includes several fresh faces, with four uncapped players earning call-ups.
