‘What’s happening To Pakistan Cricket?’: Kevin Pietersen

After Pakistan lost the first Test match to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen was concerned about the quality of cricket. Pietersen was startled when Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the first Test.

‘What’s happening To Pakistan Cricket?’: Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen tweeted on his time in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he watched young Pakistani cricketers succeed and work hard. “What happened to cricket in Pakistan?” Pietersen asks. It was shocking how much the national team had plummeted since the PSL. He inquired about what transpired.

After 448-6 in the first innings, they were bowled out for 146 in the second in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh won when Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam scored 30 runs in seven overs.

Pakistani players are considering the loss. Experts and former players have blamed management and the PCB for the team’s poor performance. After the loss, veteran Pakistan opener Ahmad Shahzad criticized the PCB and its authorities. Also, Shahzad claimed the board was being misled by the wrong people who have given them counsel for over 10 years yet don’t admit the team’s shortcomings.

Shahzad also blasted the PCB, notably Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, for selecting players who prioritize stats over team success. Shahzad believes the team’s decline is due to using the same players despite their earlier struggles.

Senior sports writer Abdul Majid Bhatti blamed overconfidence and poor planning for the loss. Bhatti stated that older players who have struggled in the past 12–14 games have not been overworked. He also suggested the team’s plan and selection process needed to be reviewed to avoid global embarrassment.

Pakistan is preparing for their second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Players and the PCB are under pressure to fix the issues that caused their decline. Pakistan must win on August 30 to tie the series and feel confident in future World Test Championship (WTC) games.

As both teams strive to advance in the World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle, the Pakistan–Bangladesh Test series is significantly more vital. Fans and critics await Pakistan’s next Test response.