Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja slammed Babar Azam & Co. following their seven-wicket loss to a second-stringed New Zealand side in the third T20I, of the five-match series, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Sunday (April 21). Being asked to bat first, Pakistan started well before slowing down in the middle-overs to end with 178 for 4, courtesy of Shadab Khan's 41 and contributions from Saim Ayub, Babar, Md Rizwan and Irfan Khan.
In reply, the Michael Bracewell-led Black Caps chased down the score without dropping much sweat thanks to Mark Chapman's 42-ball 87, laced with 9 fours and 4 sixes. While the first game was washed out, the Kiwis lost the second T20I by seven wickets, after being out for 90, and, thus, many expected the script to remain the same. However, New Zealand -- who are without many frontline players due to IPL 2024 -- produced a brilliant show to level the five-match series 1-1 with two more games to go.
Raja hence slammed Pakistan for losing to a second-stringed New Zealand. On his YouTube channel, he said, "Losing is a part of cricket, but such a defeat shakes the foundation a bit, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. Playing at home, on your favourite surface, against a team that isn't even a complete side - not a first-tier or even a second-tier New Zealand team - makes it an embarrassing loss."
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The former Pakistan captain further added, "Let's admit that in T20, anyone's luck can change, but such a drastic turn of tables within 24 hours is a blow to Pakistan's reputation. For some time now, there has been a notion that you can expect anything from Pakistan on a given day. Just 24 hours ago, Pakistan defeated them by 7 wickets, and 24 hours later, they themselves suffered a 7-wicket defeat. This should not happen."
The fourth and penultimate T20I will now be held on Thursday (April 25) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.