IND vs PAK: Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has slammed the Babar Azam-led side after their horrible performance against the arch-rivals India in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Saturday.
Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket loss against India, their first in the tournament so far in match 12 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Raja assessed the Pakistan team's performance and termed the defeat as "hurting" and "scarring" as they were outplayed in all three departments.
India bowled Pakistan out for just 191 runs in 42.4 overs after opting to bowl first before chasing the target at immense ease in 30.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.
"It's going to hurt them. It's scarring, it's a pasting, it's a battering and they've been outpaced and outplayed in all the three departments," Raja told the ICC Review Podcast.
ALSO READ: Wasim Akram Calls Out Mickey Arthur For His Remarks Post Pak's Crushing Defeat
"If you can't win, then at least compete. Pakistan weren't able to do that," he said.
This was Pakistan's eighth consecutive loss against the Men in Blue in ODI World Cups as the former PCB chief said Pakistan would have to find a way to end the unwanted streak.
"It's a reality and Pakistan have got to do something about it. They can't be termed as 'chokers' against India because that's not a great tag to have. Somehow, it's a mental block, it's a skill block as well," said Raja, a member of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning squad.
While Raja admitted that the Babar-led side had to go through immense pressure situations in front of the jam-packed stadium, he also hoped that the team needs to rise above situations like these.
"When you're playing against India, it's such an environment where it's 99 percent India fans and crowds, you're obviously overwhelmed. I understand all of that.
"But Babar Azam has led this side for a good four or five years, so you've got to rise to the occasion," he added.
The 61-year-old also credited Rohit Sharma's Indian team for coming out on top amid all the pressure situations due to high expectations.
"Credit to India for maintaining their presence in World Cup competitions against Pakistan. It's not an easy match for India also because there are emotions involved, there are expectations involved.
"Then you're supposed to win because it has been happening for so many years that this can get you under a little bit of extra pressure. But they've handled it so well," he said.
Raja rooted for the senior players including skipper Babar to rally around the youngsters so that they put their 1oopercent in the coming matches.
With two wins in the first three matches, Pakistan are very much in contention to make it to the final four.
ALSO READ: ENG vs AFG Live Cricket Score, ODI World Cup 2023
"Babar Azam and the senior players will have to rally around some of the young kids and have got to find an answer.
"They've got to be brutally honest in those team meetings. I think that is where Pakistan need to start," he said.
Pakistan will be up against the five-time champions Australia in their next match at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 20.