Former Pakistan Test cricketer and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja praised Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel for their batting performance in the first innings of the opening Test against the West Indies.
Pakistan completed their dominant 127-run victory over the West Indies in the first of a two-match Test series on Sunday.
Following Pakistan’s victory, Ramiz Raja shared his opinion in a video on his YouTube channel, highlighting the strategy to dismantle opponents with a spin.
“Pakistan pocketed this test match with authority. This square-turning pitch, much like the template set after the England series, completely exposed the West Indies’ lack of quality when it comes to handling spin,” said Ramiz.
“Their batters were not equipped to deal with the conditions or our heavy-duty spin attack.”
The former captain highlighted the unique skills each spinner—Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan—brought to the team, which contributed to Pakistan’s victory.
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“Each bowler brought something unique to the table, adjusting seamlessly to the wear and tear of the ball,” he added.
“Abrar is relentless with his accuracy, Noman’s variations on a spinning track are world-class, and Sajid’s angles make him a constant threat.
“Together, they formed a perfect spin attack that dominated the opposition.”
He also appreciated the 141-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel in the first innings. The two batters joined hands when the team was struggling on 46-4 and helped the team post a fighting total of 230.
“On a challenging pitch, the way Rizwan and Shakeel handled the pressure was brilliant. They turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor when it mattered most,” Ramiz Raja stated.
“Even though Pakistan’s batting stumbled in the second innings, they had already moved so far ahead that 250 was unachievable for the West Indies.”
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