Pakistan‘s cricket team suffered a devastating and humiliating 10-wicket defeat. Bangladesh during First Test match in RawalpindiAs part of Bangladesh’s Pakistan 2024 tour. The loss on home soil has raised serious concerns about the state of Pakistan cricket, which is heading for an unprecedented slump.
Ahmed Shahzad on Pakistan’s humiliating defeat
Ahmad Shahzad did not hold back from his criticism Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team status. Shahzad took to social media, posting a video on X (formerly known as Twitter), expressing his deep disappointment and frustration over the current situation. He didn’t mince words when discussing the gravity of the defeat, calling it a symptom of a bigger problem plaguing Pakistan cricket.
“The historic story of the Pakistan team has begun. This country has been called “jhoot” again and again, and today, after the historic disaster at the hands of Bangladesh, another dirty joke has been played. Who should question the country, whose throat should be closed? Who is responsible for all these situations?” (The historic downfall of the Pakistani team has begun. The nation has been lied to again and again and a dirty joke played again today after Bangladesh’s historic humiliating defeat. Who should the nation ask for an answer from, whose throat should it hold? Who is responsible for all these situations?)
The historic downfall of the Pakistani team has begun. The nation has been lied to again and again and a dirty joke played again today after Bangladesh’s historic humiliating defeat. Who should the nation ask for an answer from, who should they hold by the throat? Who is responsible for all these situations?#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/AdXZhy3z7n
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) August 25, 2024
Also READ: ‘You haven’t seen anything in the last 5 years’: Kamran Akmal slams Pakistan after 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh
Shahzad blames the Pakistan Cricket Board
Shahzad described the defeat as a new low for Pakistan cricket and added to the growing anguish over repeated losses in recent months.
“I have never seen Pakistan so despised in my life. Batting, bowling and fielding will be discussed for another day, but this is a new low point for Pakistan cricket. It will be very difficult for them to get rid of this problem. Until today, they have not been able to get rid of the pain of the conflict in Afghanistan.” (I have never seen Pakistan sink so low in my life. Batting, bowling and fielding is a discussion for another day. But this is a new low in Pakistan cricket. It will be very difficult for them to recover from this defeat. They still haven’t recovered from the defeat against Afghanistan).
The former cricketer pointed out that the root of the problem lies in the short-term decision-making by the PCB, which adversely affects the team’s performance. He criticized the board for failing to come up with a solid long-term plan and for failing to strengthen the local cricket structure.
“I said earlier that if you take short term decisions it will hurt your cricket. Pakistan cricket is on Andhero’s side but we don’t expect him to lose to Bangladesh..”(I said earlier that if you take short term decisions it will hamper your cricket. Pakistan cricket is heading towards darkness but we didn’t expect to lose to Bangladesh).
Poor player management and development
The right-handed batsman also defended the players, placing the blame squarely on the PCB for mismanaging the situation and pushing the players to their limits without giving proper opportunities to local talent. He pointed out the lack of player development and emphasized that it was not the fault of the PCB but the lack of a sustainable talent pipeline.
“There is nothing wrong with the players. This is PCB’s fault as the players never applied forcefully to be included in the team. You are the one who keeps playing them. It is you who are stopping local cricketers from coming forward. You yourself believe that there are not many players in domestic cricket. If so, what did you do?’ (It’s not the players fault. PCB is to blame because the players never asked for forced selection. You are the one who keeps them playing. It’s you who don’t allow local cricketers to come. You admit there are not enough players in domestic cricket. If so, what did you do?)
