At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, veteran Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan sealed a historic victory by smashing a boundary off Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed. This shot not only secured Bangladesh‘s six-wicket win in the second Test but also marked their first-ever men’s Test series victory over Pakistan on Pakistan soil.

Disastrous series defeat against Bangladesh

As Shakib celebrated with his teammate Mushfiqur Rahim, their jubilant comrades rushed onto the field to join the celebrations. For Bangladesh, it was a momentous occasion, especially considering they had lost 12 of their previous 13 encounters with Pakistan. The contrast could not have been starker for the hosts. Captain Shan Masood and his side walked off the field, symbolic of the gloom enveloping Pakistan cricket after this unprecedented series defeat. It was only the second time in their history that Pakistan had been clean-swept in a home Test series.

Javed Miandad on Pakistan’s cricket struggles

Former Test captain Javed Miandad did not mince words when reflecting on the series defeat. He highlighted the collapse of their batting throughout the series “It is deeply hurtful that our cricket has reached this stage. Bangladesh deserves credit for their disciplined performances, but the collapse of our batting throughout the series is a troubling sign,” He pointed to the turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a significant factor affecting the players’ confidence. “I wouldn’t just blame the players. The issues within the board and the constant changes in captaincy and management over the past year and a half have taken a toll on the team,” Miandad concluded.

Inzamam-ul-Haq on home series defeats

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed concern over Pakistan’s dismal home record. Inzamam emphasized, highlighting the need for consistency among the batting lineup. “Losing three series and failing to win a single Test at home in nine attempts is alarming. Home series were once our stronghold, but to achieve success, the batsmen need to deliver runs,”  Inzamam said.

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Younis Khan on the importance of mental resilience

Pakistan’s record-breaking batter Younis Khan stressed the importance of mental fortitude in overcoming the current crisis. He suggested that the team’s struggles are as much psychological as they are technical. “Our batters have performed well in the past, but right now, they need mental strengthening and clarity to break out of this losing streak,” Younis observed.

Ahmed Shehzad on batting challenges against pace

Former Test batter Ahmed Shehzad was particularly critical of the Pakistani batter’s inability to handle the Bangladeshi pacers. and called for a reevaluation of the team’s approach to batting. “If you can’t handle a bit of pace and movement even at home, then the future doesn’t look very bright for us,” Shehzad bluntly stated.

Iqbal Qasim on the need for spin focus

Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim urged the team management to focus on grooming spin bowlers, arguing that Pakistan’s best chance of success at home lies in spin-friendly conditions. “We no longer have pacers of the calibre of Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, or Shoaib Akhtar. We should be banking on our spinners and providing them with supportive pitches,” Qasim advised.

Decline of a once-formidable force

Historically, Pakistan have been one of cricket’s powerhouses, with memorable triumphs like the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup 1992 and the T20 World Cup 2024. However, recent performances have seen a sharp decline across all formats. The men’s side has been plagued by defeats against lower-ranked teams in bilateral series and shocking results in global tournaments.

The T20 World Cup in 2024 saw Pakistan fail to advance beyond the first round after a shocking loss to the United States of America (USA). Their disappointing exit from the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, where they lost five of their nine matches, further underscored the team’s struggles. The defeat against Bangladesh in the second Test marked a new low for Pakistan cricket. It was their sixth defeat in the last 10 home Tests, and the first time Bangladesh had beaten them in a Test series. The magnitude of the loss prompted strong reactions from some of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing legends.

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