After Pakistan’s devastating loss to Australia in the opening Test in Perth, former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja Sunday remarked that our team’s “resistance menu” lacked intent and technique. Australia defeated a frightened Pakistan for 89 in the opening Test to win by 360 runs.
Pak vs Aus: Ramiz Raja blames Perth failure on unintentional technique
On X (previously Twitter), Raja, who worked with the PCB for almost two years, said: “Pak’s ‘resistance menu’ lacked intent and technique. Blown away in 31 overs in the second knock was disheartening. The Aussies were exceptional… Pakistani hitters were all out in 30.2 overs in the second innings.
Pakistan was eliminated for 89 runs while chasing a 450-run goal. Saud Shakeel headed the visitors’ scoring with 24 runs. Nathon Lyon and Australia’s speed attack ended Pakistan’s unlikely chance of winning their first Test in Australia since 1995 in four days. No batter could last against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood’s furious pace attack.
Lyon won 2-18 after the visitors succumbed meekly when seeking 450. Starc and Hazlewood each took three wickets. Pakistan were dismissed for 271 in their first innings, responding to the hosts’ 487, and Australia declared at 233-5 on the fourth day.
Captain Cummins made the call after opener Usman Khawaja left for a resilient 90 on a worsening pitch after a 126-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh. Marsh remained unbeaten at 63 when Pakistan dismissed Steve Smith and Travis Head early in the day, stirring hope that quickly evaporated.
