Wasim Akram, the former captain and legendary fast bowler, has expressed his profound disappointment following Pakistan’s recent Test series whitewash against Bangladesh. Akram has described the series loss as a “huge setback,” emphasizing that the national team’s performance has raised serious concerns about the state of Pakistani cricket.
Bangladesh’s victory in the two-match Test series, with a 2-0 result, marks their first-ever Test win over Pakistan and their first series victory against them in the red-ball format. This historic win has highlighted Pakistan’s struggles, particularly as they face their fifth consecutive Test defeat, which includes losses to both Australia and Bangladesh.
In the wake of these defeats, Pakistan has fallen to its lowest Test ranking in nearly six decades, now positioned at eighth in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings. Additionally, the team is ranked eighth in the ICC World Test Championship standings, with Bangladesh notably in the fourth position.
Akram’s reaction reflects the gravity of the situation. He conveyed his embarrassment over the national side’s performance, particularly their failure to capitalize on advantageous positions. “For a former player and captain, and a lover of the game, I was left embarrassed at the way they have lost from good positions. I simply don’t get it,” he told AFP.
He further criticized the team’s ongoing struggles on home turf. “We are losing consistently on home turf, and that says a lot about the quality of our cricket,” Akram added. His remarks underscore the significant challenges facing the team and the urgent need for a reassessment of their strategies and performances.
The losses come in a year marked by additional setbacks for Pakistan. The team faced notable defeats in both the ODI and T20 World Cups, including losses to Afghanistan in ODIs and the USA in T20Is. This string of poor performances has intensified scrutiny and frustration among fans and former players alike.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face England in their next Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. The series is scheduled to start with the first Test from October 7 to 11 in Multan, followed by the second Test from October 15 to 19 in Karachi, and concluding with the third Test from October 24 to 28 in Rawalpindi. This series represents an opportunity for Pakistan to reverse their fortunes and improve their standing in the Test rankings.
The upcoming series against England will be crucial for the team to regain form and restore confidence. With Akram’s critical assessment highlighting the current issues, the pressure is on the players and the management to address these challenges and demonstrate significant improvement.
