New Delhi: Bangladesh’s test series sweep over Pakistan has sparked widespread disillusionment in Pakistan. Most cricket fans and experts refuse to even engage with the problems in Pakistani cricket right now; rather, they are praising the steady rise of the Bangladesh cricket team. The verdict is out: Pakistan cricket is at its lowest.
“Really disappointed to see Pakistan beaten for the second time by Bangladesh, but full praise and marks to the winners as they played complete cricket. Bangladesh used to have low, slow and big turners but now they are preparing great test pitches, helping their fast-rising pace bowlers who outpaced Pakistan. Bangladesh are now ready to compete against the best in this format”, former Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram wrote on X.
X user Aamir Kayani agreed with Akram, stating that Bangladesh did not display a flawless and dominant performance; instead, the Pakistan cricket team has the largest number of incomplete players.
“I can’t even imagine Pak Team without a genuine fast bowler. Having a Captain who doesn’t merit a place in Team,” he added.
Winless for 2 years
This was Bangladesh’s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024.
The win also saw Bangladesh secure four successive Test series victories for the first time in their history.
Bangladesh national cricket team defeated Pakistan by 78 runs on the fifth day of the second and final Test to complete a historic 2-0 series sweep. It marked the first time Bangladesh had whitewashed Pakistan in a Test series on home soil.
Pakistan were bowled out for 358 on Wednesday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium while chasing Bangladesh’s challenging fourth-innings target. Earlier in the match, Bangladesh posted 278 in their first innings before dismissing Pakistan for 232. The hosts then strengthened their position with 390 runs in the second innings.
Led by captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh had already taken control of the series after securing a 104-run victory in the opening Test.
“It’s never good to lose games,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood was quoted as saying later in Express Tribune. “In both matches we had significant chances, but we need to reflect on where we lost the game in batting, bowling and fielding if we want to move forward as a side.”
Pakistan haven’t won a single bilateral series against Bangladesh in the last two years. Now, Pakistanis are done with their cricket team.
For cricket commentator and former Pakistani batsman Ramiz Raja, ‘old fault lines are getting wider and wider’ in the cricket team, and immediate ‘action is needed to break the status quo’.
“Congratulations to Bangladesh for not only challenging Pakistan in this series but challenging themselves to break the status quo of defensive home grown spin strategy to win on lively pitches. Shanto stands out in this transformation. He is a very impressive leader. For Pakistan old fault lines are getting wider and wider. Action is needed to break the status quo!!”, he wrote on X.
Cricketer Azhar Ali agreed, congratulating the Bangladesh cricket team.
“Outstanding performances throughout the series, backed by excellent sporting pitches that rewarded quality cricket. This success is not overnight it’s the result of a long process and the work done behind the scenes in developing players, improving systems, and backing them consistently. Pakistan, meanwhile, need improvement in all departments batting, bowling, fielding, and especially match fitness,” he added on x.
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‘Mohsin Naqvi destroyed Pakistan’s cricket’
From being hurt to suggesting a complete overhaul in the team, Pakistanis vented out their anger on X.
“It hurts. Pakistan was not supposed to be bullied by Bangladesh in cricket. We are Pakistanis,” an X user called Pakistani wrote.
Even the former Sindh governor, Mohammad Zubair, wants a change both at the administration and player level.
“Pakistan cricket has hit a new low. Losing to Bangladesh and that too a whitewash is a national humiliation. This is coming on top of Bangladesh beating us 2-0 earlier in Pakistan. Time for the present PCB leadership to step aside and let someone else manage the affairs,” the former governor of Sindh wrote on X.
Former cricketers are calling it ‘a painful chapter’—something which is “a huge embarrassment for a cricket-loving nation like Pakistan.”
“Congratulations to Bangladesh on a historic series win. You can clearly see the bold steps they are taking to rebuild and revive their cricket, and the results are now evident on the field. For Pakistan, this is yet another painful chapter. After a horrific World Cup campaign, losing another Test series to Bangladesh is a huge embarrassment for a cricket-loving nation like Pakistan. Serious changes and accountability are needed if Pakistan cricket wants to move forward. The ball is now in PCB’s court. Will they finally take action this time, or will they just keep protecting their positions, like a pigeon closing its eyes after seeing a cat, pretending nothing has happened and that everything is fine?” former cricketer Ahmad Shahzad wrote on X.
Others diverted their blame to PCB chief and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
“Mohsin Naqvi has completely destroyed Pakistan’s Men’s Cricket. Shameless parchi is still sucking it like a leech instead of letting it be handled by a professional. People are literally losing interest in cricket for the first time in Pak’s history..” X user Umair Khan wrote.
Others advised him to leave cricket and focus on politics.
Pakistani X user Shuaib Rahman, who is also a cricketer, summed up the sentiment of the nation: ‘Pakistan has now lost its 7th consecutive series. At this rate, only the burial ceremony is left.”
(Edited by Saptak Datta)