Pakistan cricket team is currently going through a bad phase. They shockingly lost to Bangladesh in the first Test of the series played in Rawalpindi.
It was a match that Pakistan were expected to win from the start, but the visitors were too good for the hosts on day five.
If that wasn’t enough, the team has been awarded six points in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for a slow overdrive.
The extreme slowdown was mainly due to the absence of a specialist spinner in the squad which cost Pakistan.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra also blamed Pakistan’s decision to go with four fast bowlers as the main reason for their slow pace.
He argued about Pakistan’s poor decision-making and the thought process behind their all-out attack.
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Aakash Chopra slams Pakistan’s poor decision-making
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra spoke about Pakistan’s decision to go without any specialist spinners, which cost them the match.
Pakistan went with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad in the frontline, with spinner Agha Salman as the supporting bowler.
“It was Bangladesh’s first win against Pakistan. Pakistan lost by 10 wickets after a very long time, either at home or in the UAE. Pakistan cricket – how do you do it? It’s a gift that keeps on giving. You put together a fast line. Such a on the field you went with four fast bowlers said Aakash Chopra.
The former India opener also criticized Pakistan’s batting line-up for giving up against Bangladesh’s quality spinners who played poor innings. He also pointed out that when there are many fast bowlers in the Playing XI, the over-rate will always be on the low side.
“Then you didn’t bat well, you surrendered against the spin and the overs were so slow, ‘Khaaya peeya kuch nahin, glass toda 12 aana’. Six points docked. You give away more than you earn. When you bowl that fast, you get too much the pace will be slow, Pakistan cricket will never surprise you,” opined Chopra.
Pakistan now have 16 points with a win percentage of 22.22. Their chances of qualifying for the WTC final were severely damaged after the Rawalpindi Test. They are now eighth in the points table behind Bangladesh.
Aakash Chopra blames Pakistan’s flat pitches for their decline
The state of Pakistan cricket has been really bad in the last few months. The side has been losing consistently in all formats. Their home record also took a hit as they lost the Test series at home to England and Australia.
Aakash Chopra blamed the country’s flat pitches for cricket’s decline. The pitch in Rawalpindi was the same as the bowlers did not do much for them throughout the match.
“Pakistan’s situation is very bad. When you play at home, it is supposed to be a good team, but you are known for your deeds, not your name. You have been winning a Test match at home for a long time. You have made road-like pitches,” Chopra said.
“It was one of the flattest pitches in the history of many test matches you announce after scoring 448 runs and losing just 6 wickets. The opposition team takes the lead and then you collapse. Pakistan cricket has really hit rock bottom. ebb,” added the cricketer-turned-commentator.
The second Test of the series will be played at the same venue and will begin on August 30. After the match against Bangladesh, Pakistan will host England at home for a three-match Test series.
