Despite being badly criticized for his ‘drama’ remark on Pakistan batter Babar Azam on Sunday, commentator Ramiz Raja mocked another player of the team, spinner Noman Ali, on Monday. During the second
day of the Pakistan-South Africa Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Raja quipped on live commentary how Ali’s shades looked like ‘welding glasses’, again drawing flak from local supporters online.
Raja is a divisive figure in Pakistani cricket. He was a decently established cricketer in his time, but some believe his time as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman was fruitful, while others label it divisive. His commentary — the one common job he has held despite donning multiple roles in Pakistani cricket — has been similar. Some love it as the voice of Pakistan on the international stage, while others despise it.
“He’s wearing a fancy pair of glasses, Noman Ali. Looks like welding glasses,” he said about Noman.
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On the first day, early in his innings, Babar was given out caught off Senuran Muthusamy’s delivery, but he challenged the decision using DRS. As the replay unfolded on TV, Raja quipped, “Yeh out hain, drama karega” (“This is out; now he will be doing drama”).
He was heard on the broadcast quite faintly, as if he didn’t intend it to be aired and just forgot to keep the mic down completely. But the audio quickly caught fans’ attention and went viral online, becoming a talking point of the match and overshadowing Babar’s brief 23-run innings.
Noman stars on Day 2
On day two in Lahore, spinners dominated as Pakistan and South Africa battled on a turning pitch. Noman took four wickets, helping restrict South Africa to 216/6, while Tony de Zorzi fought valiantly with an unbeaten 81, hitting nine boundaries and a six.
Earlier, South Africa’s Muthusamy claimed a career-best 6/117 to dismiss Pakistan for 378, dismantling the middle order. Key partnerships, including 94 runs between Rickelton and Zorzi, were broken by Noman and part-timer Salman Agha.
Spinners took all 11 wickets on the day as South Africa trailed by 162 runs at Stumps.
