Appalling defeat

Whatever the reason – overconfidence; bad selection due to wrong pitch reading; or poor captaincy, mainly reflected in what later proved to be an early declaration of the first innings – the bottom line is that Team Pakistan has been handed a nightmarish defeat by Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi this past Sunday. The defeat – by a huge margin of 10 wickets, and that too on the home ground – marks Pakistan's first against Bangladesh in Test matches. Of the previous 13 Tests matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan won 12, six of them by an innings, while one ended in a draw.

A Pakistan line-up – studded with proven stars like Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, skipper Shan Masood, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah – succumbed to a team that has been hugely criticised for its lack of Test victories. Remember Bangladesh have only won six Test matches, including the latest one in Rawalpindi, in the 143 they have played in their entire career. The appalling defeat in Rawalpindi Test follows Pakistan's poor performance in 50-50 Asia Cup (Aug-Sept 2023) and T20 World Cup (June 2024). And that only goes to emphasise the depth that Pakistan cricket continues to scale in all formats of the game.

As a short-term measure to bounce back to win the second Test, starting from Friday at the same venue, and level the 2-Test rubber which is part of the World Test Championship, a few changes are a must. But there is need for the Pakistan think-tank to go back to the dissection table to see what it is that ails Pakistan cricket, and then come up with a proper roadmap to healing, recovery and wellness. After hockey and squash, cricket in Pakistan too is fast touching the pits. There is need to take serious and urgent steps to stop the root from deepening.