The fans of Pakistan cricket were left in disbelief as their team, once considered favorites, was outplayed by Bangladesh in a historic and humiliating Test series defeat on home soil.
Before this series, Pakistan had never lost a Test match to Bangladesh, with an impressive record of 12 wins and one draw in their previous 13 encounters.
However, cricket’s unpredictability struck once again, as Bangladesh not only secured their maiden Test win against Pakistan but also swept the series 2-0, rewriting history in the process. So, what went wrong for Pakistan? Let’s dive into the key factors that led to this shocking defeat.
Over-dependence on Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan’s batting woes were evident throughout the series, with one glaring issue standing out—an over reliance on Mohammad Rizwan. The experienced wicket keeper-batter was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 294 runs in four innings at an astounding average of 98.
His contributions included a heroic 171* and 51 in the first Test and gritty scores of 29 and 43 in the second. However, Rizwan’s brilliance was overshadowed by the lack of support from his fellow batters.
While Saud Shakeel’s 141 in the first innings of the first Test offered a glimmer of hope, his subsequent scores of 0, 16, and 2 highlighted the inconsistency that plagued Pakistan’s batting order.
Even former captain Babar Azam, who was expected to lead from the front, managed only 64 runs across four innings at a dismal average of 16. Abdullah Shafique, too, had a forgettable series, with just 42 runs to his name.
This over reliance on Rizwan not only exposed the fragility of Pakistan’s batting lineup but also put immense pressure on one player to carry the team—a burden that proved too heavy in the end.
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Missed Opportunities
Despite the series loss, there were moments when Pakistan had Bangladesh on the back foot, largely due to their bowlers. However, these opportunities were squandered due to a lack of killer instinct and poor decision-making.
In the first Test, Pakistan’s decision to declare their first innings at 448-6 was questionable. Although the bowlers initially reduced Bangladesh to 53-2 and 218-5, they failed to press home the advantage.
The visitors managed to post a mammoth 565, thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim’s brilliant 191, with the last five wickets contributing a staggering 347 runs. The second Test followed a similar pattern.
Pakistan had Bangladesh reeling at 26-6 after posting 274 in their first innings. Yet, they allowed the visitors to recover to 262, with Litton Das leading the fightback with a crucial 138. Once again, the bowlers let the game slip away, and Pakistan found themselves chasing a series they had once seemed poised to dominate.
These missed opportunities were demoralizing for Pakistan, ultimately leading to their collapse in both Tests. Bangladesh’s resilience with the bat, coupled with Pakistan’s inability to capitalize, turned the tide in favor of the visitors.
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Shan Masood’s Struggles as Captain
Leadership, or the lack thereof, was another critical factor in Pakistan’s downfall. Shan Masood, who took over the captaincy after Pakistan’s 3-0 drubbing in Australia, failed to inspire the team both as a leader and as a batter.
Masood’s record in the Test format has been mediocre, and his performance against Bangladesh did little to silence his critics. He managed only 105 runs in four innings at an average of 26.25, with a lone half-century to show for his efforts.
More importantly, his leadership was uninspiring, and his tactical decisions often seemed off the mark. Masood’s post-match comments, where he lamented Pakistan’s inability to learn from their mistakes, were ironic, given that he himself failed to lead from the front.
His lack of assertiveness and vision allowed the game to drift away from Pakistan at crucial junctures, setting the tone for the team’s insipid performances.
The 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh is a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket. It exposed the team’s over reliance on a few players, their inability to seize key moments, and the leadership void that currently exists. While the defeat is disappointing, it also offers an opportunity for introspection and rebuilding.
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