Pakistan’s humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test match in Rawalpindi has sparked widespread criticism and dissatisfaction within the team management. The team’s performance, particularly that of the four fast bowlers, has come under intense scrutiny.
According to sources, the team management has expressed its disappointment with the performance of Shaheen Afridi, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Naseem Shah. The bowlers failed to exploit the conditions to their advantage, and the lack of a quality spinner proved to be a major issue.
Senior players have also voiced their concerns, expressing disappointment over the fast bowlers’ inability to utilize the grass on the pitch and their declining pace. These issues were reportedly discussed in the dressing room after the match.
In the match itself, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan took seven wickets between them to secure their maiden win over Pakistan in five-day cricket. Mehidy grabbed 4-21 and Shakib 3-44, triggering a Pakistan collapse on the fifth day.
Pakistan was dismissed for 146 runs in 55.5 overs, leaving Bangladesh with a target of just 30 runs. Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam reached the target in 6.3 overs, with Zakir hitting the winning boundary.
Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan in the second innings with 51, but the home team was staring at defeat at lunch. A holiday crowd of nearly 5,000 expected Pakistan to fight out a draw, but Mehidy’s bowling proved too strong.
The defeat has raised serious questions about Pakistan’s bowling attack and the team’s overall performance. The team management will need to address these issues quickly as they prepare for the second Test match in Dhaka.
