Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen expressed his frustration over Pakistan’s recent performance against Bangladesh, questioning the current state of cricket in the country. On Monday, Pietersen took to social media to voice his discontent following Bangladesh’s historic 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test of their series, which concluded on Sunday in Rawalpindi.
This win marked Bangladesh’s first-ever Test victory against Pakistan, a significant milestone for the Bangladeshi team. The match saw Pakistan, after declaring their first innings at 448-6, crumble in their second innings for just 146 runs. This left Bangladesh with a modest target of 30 runs, which they achieved within just seven overs, sealing a commanding victory.
In his tweet, Pietersen reminisced about his time playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he had observed a high standard of play and exceptional talent among Pakistani cricketers, especially the younger ones. Reflecting on those experiences, Pietersen questioned what had changed in Pakistani cricket, asking, “What happened to cricket in Pakistan? When I played the PSL, the standard of that league was tremendous, the players had a very good work ethic, and the youngsters on display were magic. What’s happening there?”
Pietersen’s remarks come amid growing criticism of Pakistan’s cricket management and team performance. Following the defeat, there has been significant backlash directed towards the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its handling of the national team. Critics argue that the current PCB management, led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, failed to address long-standing issues within the team and allowed the same players who have been criticized for their performance to remain in the squad.
Former Pakistan opener Ahmad Shahzad voiced his frustration, placing the blame squarely on the PCB and its leadership. He suggested that the problems extended beyond the players themselves and were rooted in the management’s decisions. “I will not blame players here. I will blame the PCB, its chief, and those who have been giving advice for the past 10 to 12 years in the board and do not come forward,” Shahzad said. He criticized the PCB for sticking with players who, in his view, prioritize personal statistics over the team’s success.
Senior journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti echoed similar sentiments, attributing the defeat to a combination of overconfidence and poor planning. Bhatti also called for accountability from veteran players who have struggled in recent matches. “Overconfidence and poor planning contributed to this loss. We need to hold veteran players accountable, as they have not performed well in the past 12 to 14 matches,” Bhatti stated.
The second Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on August 30 in Rawalpindi. This series forms part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, adding further significance to the outcome of the matches.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on the Pakistan team to see how they respond to the criticism and whether they can turn their fortunes around. The performance in the upcoming Test will be crucial for Pakistan, not just for the series result but also in terms of regaining confidence and addressing the concerns raised by experts and former players alike.
