Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Ramiz Raja Says Pakistan Lost Its Fast-Bowling DNA
Pakistan played England in a Test cricket match and lost heavily.
England scored 409 runs.
Pakistan scored 171 runs in one part of the match and 135 in another.
This meant England won by an innings and 103 runs.
Pakistan’s batters struggled against England’s conditions.
Former captain Ramiz Raja also said Pakistan no longer has enough of its famous fast bowlers.
Pakistan has often used pitches that help spin bowlers in home Tests.
Raja believes this has made the team less balanced and one-dimensional.
Pakistan lost the first Test against England by an innings and 103 runs.
Pakistan were dismissed for 171 and 135, while England scored 409.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said the team appears to lack its traditional fast-bowling strength.
Pakistan have increasingly used spin-friendly home pitches to pursue Test victories.
Raja said that reliance has contributed to a “one-dimensional team.”
- Who
- Pakistan, England, and former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja.
- What
- Pakistan lost the first Test to England by an innings and 103 runs, prompting criticism of its batting and fast-bowling resources.
- When
- The article references Pakistan’s home-Test losing streak between 2021 and 2024; the date of this Test is not specified.
- Where
- The Test was played in conditions described as English, while the broader criticism concerns Pakistan’s home Tests.
- Why
- Raja attributed Pakistan’s loss of fast-bowling strength partly to its increasing reliance on spin-friendly pitches at home.
- Match result
- England defeated Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs.
- England’s score
- 409 runs.
- Pakistan’s scores
- 171 and 135.
- Pakistan’s recent home approach
- Increasing reliance on spin-friendly pitches in Test matches.
- Referenced home losing streak
- Matches played at home between 2021 and 2024.
- Ramiz Raja’s assessment
- Pakistan has become a “one-dimensional team” and appears to have lost its traditional fast-bowling strength.