Former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan is very disappointed with his team’s defeat to Bangladesh at home in the first Test.
Bangladesh recorded a historic 10-wicket win in the first Test match in Rawalpindi. The victory came as a breath of fresh air amidst the ongoing civil unrest in the country.
Meanwhile, for Pakistan, it was a disappointing defeat at home, where they have not won a Test match since 2022. They last won a Test match at home in February 2021 against South Africa.
Nine home games without a win is their second-longest winless streak of all time.
On two previous occasions, they have failed to win in eight home games (March 1959–October 1964 and October 1998–March 2000). Their worst winless run remains 11 games, from February 1969 to March 1975.
The defeat has pushed them down to ninth position in the WTC points table. They will need to win the second Test against Bangladesh to level the series and remain relevant in this WTC campaign.
After Bangladesh, they will play England in a home series in October consisting of three Test matches.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood has been heavily criticised for not including a spinner in the XI. They fielded an all-pace attack that failed to get the job done in the first Test.
Although the pitch did not offer much turn in the first innings, Bangladesh bowlers Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan took seven wickets between them to get the upper hand in the second innings.
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Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has lashed out at the national cricket body headed by Mohsin Naqvi while expressing his disappointment over the performances of the senior men’s national team.
He has even tried to make this home defeat for Pakistan an embarrassment by accusing the Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of “destroying” the sport in the country.
Imran Khan criticises Mohsin Naqvi and PCB
“Cricket is the only sport that the entire nation watches with great interest on television, but even that has been destroyed by powerful quarters who brought in an unqualified and favoured official to maintain their control,” Imran Khan was quoted as saying by his X account.
“For the first time, we (Pakistan) failed to make it to the top four in the World Cup or top eight in T20. And yesterday, we suffered an embarrassing defeat against Bangladesh, which marked a new low. Just two-and-a-half years ago, this team had defeated India by 10 wickets. What has happened in these two-and-a-half years when we lost to Bangladesh by 10 wickets? The blame for this entire collapse lies with one institution,” he added.
He also criticised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for being involved in corruption cases. The PCB Chairman, who took over the board in February 2024, also serves as Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister.
Meanwhile, Naqvi now has all fingers pointed at him with former cricketers and cricket pundits questioning him and holding him responsible for the sad state of affairs in Pakistan cricket.
Following Pakistan’s defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test match, Naqvi vowed to change the face of Pakistani cricket, saying, “I will solve the problems of Pakistani cricket, God willing. And changes are on the way.”
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