Ramiz Raja warns Pakistan for losing fans ahead of Lord’s Test

Pakistan will face England in the second Test at Lord’s from August 27 to 31 following a heavy defeat in the opening match at Leeds. The team lost the first Test by innings and 103 runs, a result that drew sharp criticism from former officials and observers of the game.

Ramiz Raja, who served as PCB chairman from September 13, 2021 to December 21, 2022, expressed serious concern about the impact of Pakistan’s poor performance on their supporter base. Speaking on a cricket podcast alongside former England captains Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan, Raja highlighted the growing disconnect between the team and its fans.

“Social media is after them (Pakistan team). They’ve already lost a lot of fans. So it’s become a norm when you lose a Test match, it’s become another loss and it means another lot (of fans) withdrawing from cricket,” Raja said.

Ramiz Raja’s concern over Pakistan’s declining fan base

Raja’s assessment reflected a broader pattern of declining engagement among Pakistan’s supporters during the current series. Cook and Vaughan, both former England captains, observed a visible decline in Pakistan’s fan engagement, noting fewer supporters seeking autographs compared with previous Pakistan tours. This tangible sign of erosion in the team’s popularity underscored the urgency of Raja’s warning.

“I think Pakistan needs to give supporters reasons to stay behind them. I have always believed that when you start losing fans and supporters, the first pillar probably has fallen, To become a great side you need to have fans behind you and it is vice-versa,” Raja said.

“So nobody wants, and nobody can expect a team to win all the Test matches, but it’s just the fight and your presence and your body language and that,” he added.

Babar Azam, who was ruled out of the first Test due to a right hand injury on August 18, had since passed fit and is expected to captain the side at Lord’s. The team looked to respond to the Leeds defeat and provide their supporters with reasons to maintain confidence in the side.

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