Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has raised concerns about the current state of Pakistan cricket following their disheartening 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test match at Rawalpindi. This defeat marked a historic low for Pakistan, as it was their first-ever loss to Bangladesh in a Test match at home.
The match, which initially seemed to be heading towards a draw, took a surprising turn as Pakistan collapsed in their second innings, managing just 146 runs. Bangladesh chased down the modest target of 30 runs with ease, securing a comprehensive victory.
Pietersen, who has experience playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Quetta Gladiators, expressed his disappointment on social media, questioning the sharp decline in Pakistan’s cricketing standards. He reflected on his time in the PSL, praising the league for its high standards and the talent it showcased, which he felt is no longer evident.
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“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,” Pietersen wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “What’s happening there?”
Pietersen’s comments echo the growing concerns among cricket experts and former players regarding Pakistan’s recent performances. The selection of an all-pace attack in Rawalpindi, along with other questionable decisions, has been widely criticized. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja was particularly vocal, condemning the team’s strategy and singling out captain Shan Masood for his poor leadership and lackluster batting.
Raja, like many others, believes that Pakistan’s once-dominant pace attack is now on the decline, a sentiment that was clearly reflected in their inability to contain Bangladesh’s batting lineup, which piled on 565 runs in their first innings, largely thanks to a marathon 191-run effort from Mushfiqur Rahim.
As the team prepares for the second and final Test of the series, which begins on August 30 in Rawalpindi, the pressure is mounting. Originally scheduled to be held in Karachi, the match venue was changed due to ongoing construction work for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan will need to regroup quickly if they hope to avoid another embarrassing defeat. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic victory, will be aiming to capitalize on their momentum and possibly secure a rare Test series win on foreign soil.
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