Pakistan’s recent test series whitewash against Bangladesh has been met with heavy criticism within the country, with former captain Ramiz Raja urging red-ball captain Shan Masood and senior players to provide an explanation for the disappointing performance. The defeat led to a headline in the Daily Jang newspaper stating, “Pakistan cricket sunk in Bay of Bengal.”
Bangladesh’s consecutive victories against Pakistan resulted in a significant boost in the ICC World Test Championship rankings, with Bangladesh climbing three places to No. 4 while Pakistan currently occupies the No. 8 spot, just above West Indies.
Masood attributed the defeats to factors such as lack of fitness and long gaps between test matches. The captain faced his second whitewash this year after a 3-0 loss to Australia. Former captain Ramiz Raja criticized Masood’s leadership, emphasizing the need for him to take charge in challenging situations.
Despite Pakistan’s strategic decisions, such as opting for four fast bowlers in the first test and rotating the pace attack in the second test, Bangladesh emerged victorious. Bangladesh’s remarkable comeback from a precarious position in the first innings highlighted shortcomings in Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Raja expressed concerns over the quality of Pakistan’s current bowling attack.
Questions also arose regarding Masood’s own batting performance, with the captain struggling to make significant contributions with the bat. Raja emphasized the importance of senior players explaining their performances amid the team’s dwindling form.
Pakistan’s overall cricketing performances have seen a decline this year across both red-ball and white-ball formats. Despite the introduction of foreign coaches, including head coach Gary Kirsten and red-ball cricket coach Jason Gillespie, Pakistan has faced challenges in major tournaments.
The lackluster performances have caused a decline in fan interest, with Raja noting that many supporters are disheartened by the team’s displays. Pakistan’s top-order batters, including Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, have faced criticism for their inconsistent showings, further adding to the team’s batting woes.
As Pakistan prepares for a upcoming series against England, Raja emphasized the players’ responsibility to regroup mentally and improve their performances. He highlighted the importance of accountability and a positive mindset in order to bounce back from recent setbacks.