‘Lose World Cup But Don’t Lose to India’ – Mohammad Rizwan Reveals Ramiz Raja’s Message to Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan revealed that Ramiz Raja instructed the Pakistan team not to lose to the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2021.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has revealed his conversation with former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja ahead of their momentous victory over India in the T20 World Cup 2021, which was held in Dubai.
The 2021 encounter marked Pakistan’s first win over India in a World Cup match since 1992. Pakistan dominated the contest thoroughly, restricting India to a modest 151 after winning the toss, before cruising to a comfortable 10-wicket victory thanks to half-centuries from Babar Azam and Rizwan himself.
Rizwan revealed that Raja, even before assuming the PCB chairmanship, had instilled the idea of defeating India in the team’s psyche. According to Rizwan, as quoted by The Hindustan Times, Raja’s message was clear:
“We had never beaten India before that (in a World Cup). Ramiz Raja met us and said, you have to beat India.”
According to Mohammad Rizwan, Ramiz Raja said that regardless of whether you win the World Cup, you have to beat India at any cost.
“There was a long time to go for the World Cup when he first came in (as PCB president) but he had started developing this thought in the team from right then. As we got closer to the World Cup he said, regardless of whether you win the trophy or not, just don’t lose to India. He used to say don’t come under pressure, and then would put pressure on us.”
Pakistan did manage an unbeaten run until the semi-finals, where they fell to Australia. They reached the final again in the 2022 edition but were defeated by England.
