Former Pakistan captain and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja courted controversy while commentating in the first Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. After calling Babar Azam’s actions “drama”, Ramiz said that Noman Ali’s shades looked like “welding glass” the other day.
Noman Ali displayed excellent bowling and took four wickets for 85 runs and kept South Africa at bay from challenging batting. At stumps on the second day, De Zorzi remained unbeaten on 81 with Muthusamy on six, with South Africa still trailing Pakistan by 162 runs in their first innings.
Look like welding glass – Ramiz Raja makes fun of Noman Ali
After retiring in 1997, Ramiz took up commentary and later served as an administrator, including the post of PCB chairman. The former cricketer has often sparked debate with his outspoken comments, garnering both praise and criticism from fans and experts alike.
During the second day of the Test, the player turned commentator mocked Noman Ali for his sunglasses. The comment came in the 25th over of South Africa’s first innings, with Raja joking that Ali’s glasses looked like “welding goggles”.
“He’s wearing cool glasses. They look like welding glasses,” King said during commentary.
Senuran Muthusamy selected the bowlers for South Africa in the first test.
Talking about the match, Senuran Muthusamy was the bowler of choice for the visiting team, taking career-best figures of 6-117, including three wickets in four balls, helping bowl out Pakistan for 378 in the first session.
Salman Ali Aga missed his century and was out for 93 runs as the last wicket for Pakistan. Captain Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder were dismissed by Noman Ali, while Rickelton and De Zorzi played from deep and made good use of their feet to counter Sajid Khan and Noman.
De Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton made a partnership of 94 runs for the third wicket. Salman Ali Aga initiated the middle-order collapse, with Babar Azam taking a brilliant one-handed catch off a thick outside ball from Rickelton.
At one time the visiting team’s score was 174-2 but they lost four wickets for 26 runs, due to which Pakistan got the upper hand. Tony De Zorzi remained unbeaten on 81 at stumps on the second day, with South Africa still trailing by 162 runs.
The main effort is to dismiss him… – Noman Ali
Noman Ali praised his team’s disciplined bowling and coordination between the spinners. He said a clear strategic approach helped him dominate the day. Noman emphasized his aim of limiting South Africa’s score and taking a lead of more than 100 runs.
“The main effort is to bowl them out for as few runs as possible and take as big a lead as possible,” Noman said in his press conference after the day. “We are aiming for a lead of more than 100. This will give us advantage in the third innings.”
On the first day, Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 93, made a 161-run partnership with captain Shan Masood, who scored 76. After this Pakistan lost momentum due to rapid fall of wickets. The home team managed to end its first innings on 378 runs.
Also Read: Hashim Amla reveals his all-time Test XI; Virat Kohli out
