“Bangladesh Tigers Shine Bright,” exclaimed the Dhaka Tribune as Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus congratulated captain Najmul Hossain Shanto following a historic win.
Pakistan cricket is in turmoil after suffering their first-ever Test series defeat to Bangladesh, adding to a series of disappointing performances that have shaken the sport in the country.
Pakistan’s struggles continued on Tuesday when they lost the second Test in Rawalpindi by six wickets, giving Bangladesh a 2-0 series sweep. This marked Pakistan’s 10th consecutive home Test without a win, further compounding a tough year where they also failed to progress beyond the group stages in both the 50-over and T20 World Cups.
Former captain and legendary fast bowler, Wasim Akram, expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a huge setback, and our cricket is at a crossroads. As a former player and captain, I’m embarrassed by how we’ve lost from promising positions. We are consistently losing on home turf, which says a lot about the current state of our cricket.”
The loss to Bangladesh comes on the heels of other defeats, including shocking losses to Afghanistan and the USA in the recent ODI and T20 World Cups. Pakistan’s home Test record over the past three years is also bleak, with six losses and four draws, including a 3-0 series sweep by England in 2022. In October, Pakistan faces another challenge with an in-form England team set to play three Tests starting in Multan.
Pakistan’s struggles aren’t limited to home soil. Earlier this year, they suffered another whitewash in Australia, marking their sixth consecutive defeat there since 1999. “People have started to lose interest in cricket,” said former international player and coach Basit Ali. “Bangladesh has shown us where we stand at the international level. The team appears disjointed, and it’s sad to say this is Pakistan’s team.”
The national press also criticized Pakistan’s cricketing woes, with Dawn attributing the disunity within the team to leadership instability at the top of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Frequent changes in PCB management, with five chairmen in the last three years, and constant shifts in captains and coaching staff have hindered progress.
The Express Tribune echoed this sentiment, describing Pakistan cricket’s rapid decline as “alarming.” Since 1998, PCB leadership has often been shaped by political appointments, leading to inconsistent management that has contributed to the downfall of the sport.
Mohsin Naqvi, the current PCB chairman, recently called for systemic changes following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit. “We need to address our problems, but there’s a lack of solid data or a reliable player pool to work from,” Naqvi remarked. Akram agreed, saying, “The quality of our cricket has declined due to a lack of grassroots development. We have much work to do, and unfortunately, there is no quick fix.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh celebrated their victory with pride. Nobel laureate and national leader Muhammad Yunus personally congratulated Shanto, saying, “Heartiest congratulations on behalf of the government and myself. The whole nation is proud of you.” The Dhaka Tribune praised the team’s success, declaring, “The Tigers are burning bright,” and noting that the victory symbolized a broader transformation within the country.
Bangladesh secured the 2-0 sweep with a tense six-wicket win in Rawalpindi, a victory that marks a new era for Bangladesh cricket. Shakib al Hasan, who hit the winning runs, expressed his joy, while captain Najmul added, “We can’t express our feelings in words, but we are really happy with how everyone performed.”
Dhaka’s Daily Star called the win a “surreal series victory” and a “watershed moment” for Bangladesh cricket. After overcoming seemingly impossible positions in both Tests, Bangladesh now looks ahead to a challenging two-match Test series against India starting September 18. Bangladesh has yet to win a Test against India, but with newfound confidence, the team is eager for the challenge.
As political tensions simmer between India and Bangladesh, the cricketing rivalry adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming series.
