This marks Pakistan’s sixth defeat in their last 10 home Tests and the first time Bangladesh has ever beaten Pakistan in a Test match and series.
“It is hurting that our cricket has come to this stage. Bangladesh deserve credit for their disciplined performances. But the way our batting has collapsed in this series is a bad sign,” former Test captain Javed Miandad said as per PTI.
In the second Test, Pakistan made the decision to drop pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from the playing eleven and rest Naseem Shah, which allowed the Bangladesh batsmen to dominate the second innings.
Despite having Bangladesh in a precarious position at 26 for 6 in their first innings, Pakistan failed to capitalize on the advantage. Litton Das, who scored a century, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put together a remarkable partnership that rescued their team from the brink of collapse.
Javed Miandad, a former Pakistan captain, believes that the players have lost confidence due to the ongoing turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I wouldn’t just blame the players because whatever has happened in the board (PCB) in the last one and half years and the captaincy and management changes have affected the team,” he said.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former skipper, expressed his concern over Pakistan’s dismal performance, losing three series and failing to secure a victory in nine home Tests.
“Home series were always considered our best chance of beating the best sides in the past. But for this to happen the batsmen need to get runs,” he said.
Younis Khan, Pakistan’s record-breaking batsman, pointed out the mental challenges a team faces when trapped in a losing streak, making it arduous to bounce back.
“Our batters have got runs in the past but right now I think they need mental strengthening and a clear mind to overcome this crisis,” he said.
Ahmed Shehzad, a former Test batter, criticized the batsmen, stating, they hopped around against the Bangladesh pacers.
“If you can’t handle a bit of pace and movement even at home then the future is not very bright for us,” he said.
Iqbal Qasim, a former Test spinner, urged the team management to nurture current and emerging spin bowlers, emphasising that Pakistan’s best chance of success at home lies in spin bowling and providing conducive pitches for them.
“We don’t have bowlers of the calibre of Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar or Shoaib now. So, we should be banking on our spinners to win us Tests at home.”
Pakistan’s prospects of reaching the World Test Championship final have diminished significantly following their recent defeat. The team’s performance has been further hampered by the poor form of their captain, Shan Masood, who has now suffered losses in all five home Tests under his leadership.
Babar Azam, a key player in the team, has also struggled to make an impact, compounding the team’s woes.
However, according to reports, the team’s coaching staff, including red-ball coach Jason Gillispie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, have cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and selectors against making hasty decisions, as it could potentially further undermine the players’ morale.
In the meantime, Gillispie and high-performance coach Tim Nielsen are set to return to Australia for a brief respite.