Following Bangladesh’s remarkable 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan, cricket experts and analysts have voiced their concerns and provided insights into what went wrong for the home team. Bangladesh’s clean sweep in Rawalpindi marked their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan, and the nature of Pakistan’s defeat has sparked significant discussion in the cricketing community.
Senior sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti has called for a thorough accountability process for the players, emphasizing the need for a consistent standard of performance evaluation. Bhatti criticized the current system, where some players are given extended opportunities despite poor performances, while others are judged harshly after only a few matches. He highlighted the historical significance of Bangladesh’s win, noting that it was the first time in over a century that a team managed to lose six wickets for under 30 runs and still go on to win the match.
Sports analyst Syed Yahya Hussaini offered a different perspective, pointing to the focus on individual performances as a key reason for Pakistan’s recent failures in Test cricket. According to Hussaini, this focus has undermined the team’s cohesion and led to repeated disappointments over the past three to four years. He argued that patience should be extended to skipper Shan Masood, suggesting that Masood needs more time to develop as a leader and produce positive results for the team.
However, this view was not universally shared. Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad expressed strong reservations about Masood’s place in the Test squad, pointing out that the captain had only managed around 350 runs in the last four years. Shehzad argued that Masood’s position in the team seemed secured only because of his captaincy and suggested that Masood should be given the freedom to select his preferred players, even from domestic cricket, but should then be held accountable for the outcomes.
The broader conversation about Pakistan’s performance also drew commentary from sports columnist Osman Samiuddin, who lauded Bangladesh’s series victory as one of the greatest achievements in Test cricket. Samiuddin emphasized the improbability of Bangladesh’s wins, particularly the second Test, where they bounced back after being reduced to 26-6 to secure a six-wicket victory. He described the series win as the “greatest anywhere,” underscoring the extraordinary nature of Bangladesh’s triumph.
Pakistan’s inability to capitalize on key moments during the series has been a focal point of criticism. In the second Test, despite having Bangladesh on the ropes at 26-6, Pakistan’s bowlers failed to maintain pressure, allowing Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to engineer a stunning recovery. Das’s century and Miraz’s resilient 78 propelled Bangladesh to a competitive total, which proved decisive in the context of the match. Pakistan’s second innings collapse to 172, largely due to the devastating bowling of Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, further exacerbated their woes and set the stage for Bangladesh’s historic chase.
The loss has raised questions about the direction of Pakistan’s Test cricket, with experts calling for structural changes and a reassessment of player selections. The series defeat, Pakistan’s fifth consecutive Test loss, has exposed vulnerabilities in both the batting and bowling departments, leading to calls for a more strategic and cohesive approach moving forward.
As Bangladesh celebrates its unprecedented success, Pakistan is left to reflect on a series of missed opportunities and the need for urgent reforms. The historic nature of Bangladesh’s victory has not only highlighted their rise as a formidable Test side but also underscored the challenges facing Pakistan cricket as it seeks to rebuild and regain its status on the international stage.
