Ahead of the crucial ENG-PAK clash, Ramiz Raja said, “Babar looked depressed and...'
The former opener of Pakistan cricket, Ramiz Raja, said that Babar Azam is feeling frustrated and depressed at the poor performance of his team in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The former PCB chairman said Babar has felt deeply hurt by the team's painstaking performances and also by the heavy criticism they've endured from the media and former cricketers back home.
Even the former India opener, Gautam Gambhir, has praised Babar for showing a brave face in the pre-match press conference in Kolkata for the England clash and maintaining optimism that Pakistan can still pip New Zealand in the NRR count.
Ramiz, however, said he met a completely different man on the sidelines, one who was feeling let down by the press and cricketers not part of the existing World Cup contingent, aggrieved by their nasty remarks when the national side would've hoped for support.
Ramiz said, "It was not a nominated meeting. I was doing a show for the ICC at the nets. It was a meeting by chance. There were no specific plans for this meeting with Babar. Pakistani players have felt the reaction from back home. PCB and journalists played an important role, but the majority played a negative role. It is difficult to cope in the social media era."
He further added, “Babar is a mature captain with a good temperament who handles his anger very well. Pakistan Cricket Team is losing, and people passing comments are unbearable. If I were in place of Babar, I would’ve given harsh answers in a press conference. I think as critics we need to introspect."