'It was just brilliant batting' - Ramiz Raja silences critics questioning Rawalpindi wicket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has faced flak from the cricket enthusiasts and former players for preparing a flat track for the ongoing first Test match against England in Rawalpindi. The first two days have witnessed some outstanding batting performances, but the bowlers have found themselves at the receiving end.

Justifying that, Raja said that there is no need of blowing things out of proportion as this is the best advertisement of how to make batting exciting on a dull pitch. Notably, Pakistan had also hosted Australia on similar conditions earlier this year. The first two matches which turned out to be high-scoring affairs ended in a stalemate while the Aussies registered a convincing 115-run victory in the decider to seal the Test series.

"It was just brilliant batting. The only time Pakistan did not concede 30 runs in a 5-minute spell was one they were taking DRS. It was fabulous - the best advertisement for how to absolutely nail a dull pitch with exciting batting," Raja told BBC Test Match Special.

After the end of the first day’s play, Raja also said that there would be wear and tear on the wicket as the contest progresses. "I think today is only the first day of this Test match, and we are already discussing the future. The behaviour of the pitch changes in Test cricket with wear and tear. We should give a lot of credit to England, but this Test match will be very exciting."

England had scored a mammoth 506/4 on the first day before eventually being all out for 657 runs. Pakistan, in reply, have already posted 181/0 in their first innings and there were severe criticisms on social media from the passionate cricket fans who complained that there is absolutely no mercy for the bowlers in this Test match. It remains to be seen how the track would play on day three of the Test.