The Decline of Pakistan Cricket: A Deep Dive into Recent Failures

Pakistan cricket has found itself in a quagmire of criticism and poor performances, particularly under the captaincy of Shan Masood. The team’s recent first-ever loss to Bangladesh on home soil has sparked a whirlwind of debate and concern among fans and experts alike. This defeat was not just a statistical anomaly; it was a significant blow to the pride of a nation that holds cricket close to its heart. Under Masood’s leadership, the team has faced an unprecedented string of losses, raising questions about his future as captain. His personal performance has also been underwhelming, with only two fifties in his last four tests, all of which ended in defeat. The Associated Press has reported extensively on his struggles, painting a grim picture of his tenure.

Being Shan Masood right now is no easy task. He has the dubious distinction of losing his first four tests as captain, a first for any Pakistani skipper. The latest defeat, a ten-wicket loss to Bangladesh at home on a flat pitch, is particularly galling. The match was marred by half a day lost to rain, yet Pakistan still managed to lose with a session and a half to spare. This will undoubtedly be a stain on Masood’s record, one that could potentially end his captaincy. After the loss, Masood tried to explain the team’s mistakes, perhaps still in shock from the unexpected defeat. The team had picked four fast bowlers, neglecting the possibility of a final-day scenario due to the weather forecast. Bangladesh’s inside edges went for four, while Pakistan’s hit the stumps, adding to the frustration.

The decision to declare too soon and the double batting failure will weigh heavily in the final analysis. Personal performance is often key to a captain’s success, and Masood’s lack of form has not helped his cause. Misbah-ul-Haq, the previous captain, faced similar criticism but managed to silence his detractors with strong personal performances. Both Misbah and Masood had unexpected appointments as captain, each with average records before taking on the role. Masood’s career has been inconsistent, partly due to his own performance and the unpredictable nature of Pakistani selection. If he does not perform in the upcoming test match and Pakistan loses, his captaincy and place on the team may be in jeopardy.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has also weighed in on the situation, blasting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the team’s decline. After Pakistan’s loss to Bangladesh in the first test match in Rawalpindi, Khan took to social media to criticize the PCB’s leadership and team selection. He accused the PCB of destroying cricket in the country and questioned the qualifications of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi has been accused of owning property worth five million dollars in Dubai and being involved in a wheat procurement scandal. Khan’s tirade highlights the broader issues plaguing Pakistani cricket, suggesting that powerful quarters have destroyed the sport that unites the nation.

Imran Khan’s criticism extends beyond the current administration to the overall management of the team. He referenced the collapse of the team within the last two-and-a-half years, including the recent loss to Bangladesh by ten wickets. Khan places the blame squarely on the PCB, describing it as a confused group of people who do not learn from their mistakes. Former head coach Mudassar Nazar echoed these sentiments, criticizing the PCB for causing confusion and problems in Pakistani cricket. Nazar specifically mentioned the increasing issues due to the PCB’s mistakes, pointing out that the current chairman was also the director of the national academy, further complicating matters.

The recent defeat against Bangladesh has brought to light the declining pace of Pakistan’s fast bowlers, once considered the team’s strength. Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif pointed out that even the pacers did not bowl at a good pace for long periods, attributing this to the team’s trainers and physios. He compared their speeds to bowlers from other countries like Jofra Archer, Jasprit Bumrah, and Pat Cummins, who have maintained their pace despite injuries. Latif believes that the current pace bowlers are only effective in white-ball cricket and cannot endure the demands of test cricket, highlighting a significant gap in the team’s capabilities.

Pakistan’s record in test matches at home has been dismal, with the recent loss being their fifth in the last nine matches. Latif mentioned that their performance was better when playing in the UAE with Yasir Shah, who is now absent from the team. He believes that there are no quality bowlers left in Pakistan who can meet the demands of test cricket. This sentiment is echoed by many fans and experts who have watched the team’s decline with growing concern. The absence of a reliable spin option and the inability to bowl long spells have crippled Pakistan’s chances in test matches, further exacerbating their woes.

The criticism of the PCB is not limited to former players and politicians. Fans and analysts have also expressed their frustration with the board’s decisions. The appointment of unqualified and favored officials by powerful quarters to maintain control has been a recurring theme in the discourse. This has led to a series of poor decisions, from team selection to management strategies, that have contributed to the team’s decline. The failure to make it to the top four in the World Cup and the top eight in the T20 World Cup for the first time is a glaring indicator of the systemic issues within the PCB.

Imran Khan’s criticism of the PCB’s management comes at a time when the team is facing numerous challenges. Pakistan’s winless streak in test matches on home soil has now reached nine matches, with their last victory at home coming in February 2021 against South Africa. Since then, the team has faced disappointing results, including a 3-0 whitewash by England and a drawn series against New Zealand. These results have compounded the pressure on the current administration and highlighted the need for significant changes within the PCB to revive the team’s fortunes.

Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’s assistant coach, recently spoke to the media about the unexpected behavior of the pitch during the post-match duties. Mahmood, a native of Rawalpindi, expressed his disappointment with the pitch, which had been promised to be spicy but turned out to be lush green. This discrepancy between expectation and reality has been a recurring issue for Pakistan, who have struggled to find a successful formula for home tests. The team’s strategy of empowering their fast bowlers with suitable conditions backfired, as they ended up bowling 705 balls in the first innings, the most they had bowled in a home test in the last 22 years.

The controversy surrounding the pitch was further fueled by the timing of the match. August is not a suitable month for long-form cricket in Pakistan, and this was only the third time that Pakistan had hosted a test match in this month, both against Bangladesh. The heat and humidity played a significant role in the pitch’s behavior, complicating the team’s strategy. Captain Shan Masood acknowledged that their game plan was flawed due to a delayed start and the pitch being sunned. This miscalculation, coupled with the absence of a specialist spinner, highlighted the team’s inability to adapt to changing conditions.

Long-form cricket is inherently complex and requires teams to pre-empt conditions and adapt accordingly. Home teams often prepare pitches to suit their bowlers, like India’s rank turners or South Africa’s fast pitches. However, Pakistan has struggled to find a winning formula for home tests, as evidenced by their winless streak of nine matches. The recent loss to Bangladesh is a stark reflection of their decline and failure to tailor conditions according to their strengths. The past week, which began with hope for a reset in Pakistan cricket, ended in disappointment and despair, underscoring the urgent need for strategic and structural changes within the team and the PCB.