• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Ramiz Raja Speaks On Pakistan Death Bowling Cites Fakhar Zamans Weakness

Ramiz Raja Speaks on Pakistan Death Bowling, Cites Fakhar Zaman's Weakness

image-lh4dsuz0Pakistan players celebrate a wicket in 2nd ODI against NZ (AP Photo)

New Zealand, after levelling the five-match T20I series, charted challenging totals upfront in the first two ODIs against Pakistan. However, the ‘Black Caps’ went down in both matches, with Pakistani top-order tactically crafting successive run-chase specials in Rawalpindi.

The two sides will now shift to Karachi for the remaining three ODIs of the series, with the third game set to be played on May 3.

Former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja recently credited Pakistan’s death overs bowling for their wins over the hosts, and praised opener Fakhar Zaman’s batting blitzkriegs at the top of the order.

Ramiz Raja praises Fakhar Zaman, shares advice for NZ

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman was the common denominator of his team’s successful run-chases in the first two ODIs against New Zealand. The cricketer blasted match-winning tons in both innings, and was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ in each of the two contested games.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja hailed Fakhar Zaman for his efforts, and shed light on the areas he needs to improve. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:

"Fakhar (Zaman) needs to work on short-pitch bowling because he will have to encounter short-pitch bowling on spicy pitches. It seems like he tried for the pull shot but couldn't execute it perfectly. I have observed many times in his career that the ball hits his helmet. That's the area where he needs to work positively - either he skips that particular delivery or practice pull shot as much as possible."

Raja also described Pakistan bowlers as the best in the world when it comes to death bowling in ODI cricket. He also suggested that the visiting New Zealanders should device new strategies for countering Pakistan in the death overs, in order to make a comeback into the series.

"New Zealand shouldn't hold the wickets till the end and then wait to accelerate the score further. Keeping wickets in hand doesn't matter because when the opponent is as strong as Pakistan, who is a force to reckon with in death bowling. There is a reason why Pakistan is a dominant team in white-ball cricket, because Pakistan bowlers are the best at death-bowling in the world. Kiwis need to generate more pace and re-strategize in order to claim a victory."

The ongoing ODI series between New Zealand and hosts Pakistan will conclude with the final game on May 7. The series itself serves as a dress rehearsal for both sides ahead of this year’s ODI World Cup in India.