By Irum Saleem
Timid PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and Cricket Team captain Babar Azam cost Pakistan humiliation at the hands of England.
A fearful and timid approach by Raja and Babar to make batting friendly pitch in Pindi because of the fear of English bowling attack caused much embarrassment for the Pakistani nation as England made world record in the first test match.
Four England batsmen scored hundreds on Thursday as the visitors piled up a record 506-4 on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
It broke 112 years old world record — what a shame for Babar and his boys and his boss Raja.
Ruthless English openers Zak Crawley (122) and Ben Duckett (107) set the tone with quick-fire tons against a hapless Pakistan bowling attack before Ollie Pope (108)and Harry Brook (101 not out) compounded their misery.
Ben Stokes was also not out, on 34, when bad light stopped play, having helped England break a 112-year-old record for the most runs on the first day of a Test — beating Australia’s 494-6 against South Africa at Sydney.
England’s fiery batting — with 73 boundaries and three sixes — lifted the gloom over the start, which hung in the balance Wednesday after several of the tourists came down with a mystery virus.
As if the punishment from the top three wasn’t enough, Brook — playing only his second Test — cracked six consecutive boundaries off one over from debutant spinner Saud Shakeel.
Had full day play made England would have surpassed well over 600 runs in a day.
Raja and Babar type needs to come out of fear and make bowler friendly pitches.
Hope both take some shame and responsibility of this humiliation. PAK DESTINY