'If You Can't Win, At Least...': Ramiz Raja's Bold Assessment Of Pakistan's Defeat Against India

IND vs. PAK: Following their appalling performance against India in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Saturday, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has blasted the Babar Azam-led team.

In match 12, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Pakistan lost by seven wickets against India, their first defeat of the tournament thus far.

Raja evaluated the performance of the Pakistani squad and described the loss as "scarring" and "hurting" because they were outmatched in each of the three categories.

India elected to bowl first and chased the score with great ease in 30.3 overs with seven wickets in hand before bowling Pakistan out for just 191 runs in 42.4 overs.

"It will cause them pain. They've been outmatched and outscored in all three categories, and it's hurting, pounding, and battering them," Raja said on the ICC Review Podcast.

"Come in if you can't win. At least try. Pakistan was unable to accomplish that," he remarked.

Pakistan has now lost eight straight ODI World Cup matches against the Men in Blue, and the former PCB president claimed Pakistan will need to find a method to break the bad run.

"Pakistan needs to take action because it is a fact. They are not 'chokers' against India; that would be a terrible label to wear. Raja, who played for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup, stated, "It's a mental hurdle, but it's also a skill block.

Raja expressed his hope that the team will overcome these kinds of circumstances, even though he acknowledged that the Babar-led team had to deal with extremely stressful scenarios in front of the packed stadium.

"You're definitely overwhelmed when playing against India since the stadium is filled with 99 percent Indian fans. I recognise all of that.

"But Babar Azam has led this side for a good four or five years, so you've got to rise to the occasion," he said.

The 61-year-old also gave kudos to the Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma for winning in the face of extreme pressure because of their lofty goals.

"India deserves praise for continuing to compete in World Cup matches despite Pakistan. India finds it difficult to match because there are feelings and expectations involved.

"Then, because it has been going on for so long, you should win because you may feel a little bit more pressure than usual. However, they've handled it rather effectively," he remarked.

Raja hoped that the more experienced players, especially captain Babar, would support the younger players and give them their all in the next games.

Pakistan has won two of their first three games and is a strong contender to get to the final four.

"Babar Azam and the more experienced players must come together in support of some of the younger children and come up with a solution.

"They must be frank and ruthless in those team discussions. Pakistan should, in my opinion, begin there," he remarked.

Pakistan's next game is scheduled to take place at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 20, against the five-time champion Australians.