Pakistan’s dismal performance in the recent Test series against Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the state of the team. Former captain Ramiz Raja has called for an explanation from red-ball captain Shan Masood and senior players, while the media has expressed dismay at the team’s lackluster display.
The series, which Bangladesh won 2-0, marked a new low for Pakistan, who have now slipped to eighth in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Masood, who took over the captaincy earlier this year, has come under fire for his leadership and team selection.
Critics have pointed to the team’s lack of fitness and long gaps between Test matches as contributing factors to the debacle. Masood himself admitted that the team was not prepared for the challenge posed by Bangladesh, who played with greater intensity and determination.
Raja, in particular, has been vocal in his criticism of Masood’s captaincy. He believes that Masood has failed to inspire the team and has not held senior players accountable for their poor performances.
“It’s the job of the leader to fight,” Raja said. “Agreed he (Masood) is a young captain, agreed the bowling attack was young, but he had picked up this bowling attack.”
Raja also questioned Masood’s own batting form, noting that the left-hander has not scored a century in Test cricket since 2020.
“He has to answer about his own performance,” Raja said. “He is not scoring and the way Bangladesh squeezed, somebody has to be called for explanation, senior players needs to explain.”
The decline in Pakistan’s Test cricket performance has been a cause for concern for fans and experts alike. The team has struggled to find consistency in recent years, and the Bangladesh series has only served to highlight the depth of the problems.
With a three-Test series against England looming next month, Pakistan has little time to recover. Raja believes that the players need to take responsibility for their performances and show a greater sense of urgency.
“They (players) have to take onus,” Raja said. “This is the season to make a name. You have to get yourself up mentally and there are no excuses. … When there’s no blame game, only then you can go upward.”
