Rameez Raja stresses that Pakistan cannot be written off in the 2011 World Cup
Pakistan’s former opening batsman Rameez Raja has categorically reiterated that it would be a mistake to think that Pakistan has no chance in the upcoming World Cup in the subcontinent.
Raja, who after his retirement from international cricket in 1997 turned into a commentator, believes that One-Day cricket is what Pakistan is all about and there are many players in the World Cup squad who are excellent in the
50-over format of the game.
While talking to the media, Raja said, “Pakistan has a fairly settled and a very good one-day side. They know the art of playing one-day cricket. They have struggled in Test cricket because some of the players simply don't have
the temperament to graft out long innings but the 50-overs cricket format suits them." The charismatic commentator further said, “I don't think Pakistan can be ruled out of title contention. There will be less pressure on them and for our players 50-over cricket
is a pretty natural format as they are natural hitters of the ball. And with the World Cup being played on sub-continental pitches I think the conditions will suit them.”
The prolific commentator pointed out the fact that the wickets in the subcontinent have always favoured the spinners and the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket Board (PCB) has taken the right decision to include two genuine spinners Saeed Ajmal
and Abdur Rehman in the squad for the World Cup. “I think they have done a good job to pick two specialist spinners in the squad in [Abdur] Rehman and Saeed Ajmal who are in form and bowling well. And I think both of them can also play on the sub-continental
pitches," he said.
He believes that Pakistan’s bowling attack would be heavily depending on veterans Shoaib Akhtar and Abdul Razzaq, and it would be up to these two experienced exponents of the ball to give the performance of their lifetime in a
World Cup which would most probably be their last. “They could be nearing the end of their careers but they remain heavyweights and the team would be depending heavily on them in this World Cup and if they manage to fire things will be easier for Pakistan.
With Shoaib you can't rule out another strong comeback for him. And I think both of them know this is their last World Cup and final shot at glory in this tournament," Rameez said.
Tags: