In recent cricket news, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has shared his observations after a meeting with Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam. Raja revealed that Azam expressed frustration amidst the ongoing scrutiny of his performance and the team's showing in the recent World Cup.
The meeting between Raja and Azam occurred on November 11, 2023, on the sidelines of Pakistan's last league match against England in Kolkata. Raja, who was present to host a show for the International Cricket Council (ICC), described the meeting as unplanned. He said that Azam "looked depressed and sounded frustrated because Pakistan have failed to qualify for the semifinal of the World Cup".
Azam's captaincy and batting performance have been under intense observation, particularly during the World Cup where Pakistan struggled to secure a spot in the semifinals, winning only four of their eight games. Azam managed to score 282 runs with an average of 40.28 and a strike rate of 82.69.
Raja noted that the Pakistani players were affected by the criticism from media outlets back home. He said that the players are upset by the negative roles played by PCB and journalists and find it difficult to cope with the social media era. Raja also pointed out that some journalists attack players based on city which has damaged Pakistan Cricket.
Despite the pressure, Raja commended Azam for maintaining his composure during press conferences. He acknowledged Azam's mature temperament and ability to handle anger well, adding that he would have given harsh answers in press-conferences if he was in Azam's place. Raja urged critics to introspect, emphasizing that the team's losses are "unbearable".
Raja stressed the importance of supporting the current pool of players, as Pakistan lacks the extensive back-up talent seen in countries like India and Australia. He cautioned against making drastic changes and emphasized that Pakistan Cricket needs time to evolve.
In related news from October 12, 2025, Raja was caught in a controversy during a Test match between Pakistan and South Africa. While in the commentary box, Raja made an off-microphone comment about Azam that was picked up by the broadcast audio. When Azam was given out caught behind and immediately called for a DRS review, Raja was heard saying in Hindi, "yeh out hai, drama karega". This translates to "He is out, now he will be doing drama". Although the remark was not part of the official commentary, it was audible to viewers and quickly spread across social media, stirring criticism. The replays showed there was no edge, and the decision was overturned.
Babar Azam, who came in when the team needed him to stabilize the innings, scored 23 runs off 48 deliveries before getting dismissed. Pakistan finished day one at 313/5. As of now, Raja has not issued an apology or a statement regarding the incident.
