Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram said that his team’s series defeat to Bangladesh at home is a massive setback and Pakistan’s cricket is at a crossroads. Having performed below-average at the 2023 ODI World Cup and at the T20 World Cup in June, they have now lost badly to Bangladesh in red-ball cricket as well, with their cricket across formats being questioned now and then.
Pakistan were thrashed by 10 wickets in the first Test while the hosts lost the second by six wickets with Rawalpindi hosting both games.
Pakistan declared their first innings of the first Test at 448/6, thinking it would be enough. Bangladesh ruined Pakistan’s plan and posted 565 runs in their first innings to take a lead of 117 runs.
“It’s a huge setback and our cricket is at a crossroads. 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. We are losing consistently on home turf,” Akram said while speaking to AFP.
The 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh made it 10 successive Tests at home for Pakistan without a victory. Their last home win in Tests came three years back against South Africa.
Akram said that the lack of talent in Pakistan’s domestic circuit leaves the management with no backups in case of injuries or a drop in the form of players.
“The quality of our cricket has gone down with no grassroots activity, so we do not have proper back-ups. We have a lot to work on. As a cricket nation, we have to be patient, that’s the key. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix,” Akram said.
Pakistan’s first-ever series defeat to Bangladesh has resulted in Shan Masood’s side slipping down to the eighth position in the ICC Test rankings besides hitting a historic low of lowest rating points in the last 59 years.
