Bangladesh Secures First Test Victory Over Pakistan in 12 Matches, Defeats Hosts by 10 Wickets
Hafeez Criticizes PCB Chairman Following Pakistan’s Defeat to Bangladesh
Former Pakistan cricket captain and director Mohammad Hafeez has launched a pointed critique against PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after Pakistan suffered an unexpected defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of their series. Hafeez took to social media to voice his frustration and highlight what he perceives as the failings of the current leadership.
In the aftermath of Pakistan’s historic loss, Hafeez used the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Bangladesh on their landmark victory. He also took the opportunity to sarcastically reference Naqvi’s earlier comments about a “surgery” for the cricket team following the 2024 T20 World Cup. Hafeez’s tweet read, “Surgery continues till the end…” reflecting his dissatisfaction with the current state of Pakistan cricket and the PCB’s handling of the team’s issues.
Bangladesh’s victory was particularly significant as it marked their first Test win over Pakistan in 12 matches. The team achieved a resounding 10-wicket victory in the Rawalpindi Test, a notable achievement for the visitors. Bangladesh’s success was underscored by their dominant performance, which saw them bowl out Pakistan for just 146 runs in their second innings on the final day of the match. The spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan played pivotal roles, with Mehidy claiming 4 wickets for 21 runs and Shakib securing 3 wickets for 44 runs, leading to Pakistan’s collapse.
With Pakistan dismissed for 146 runs in 55.5 overs, Bangladesh was left with a modest target of just 30 runs. Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam achieved the target in just 6.3 overs, securing a historic victory for Bangladesh. This win was especially sweet as it ended a streak of 12 consecutive defeats against Pakistan in Test matches.
In response to Pakistan’s defeat, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his commitment to addressing the issues within the cricket team. During a media interaction on Monday, Naqvi reassured that significant changes were underway. “I will fix the issues in Pakistan cricket, God willing,” Naqvi stated, emphasizing that improvements were imminent. He also hinted at substantial changes happening behind the scenes, adding, “Mark my words, things will not stay the same. A lot is happening in the background.”
Naqvi also extended his congratulations to Bangladesh for their historic win and expressed his disappointment over Pakistan’s performance. He expressed hope for a turnaround in the upcoming matches, indicating that the team’s poor showing in the Rawalpindi Test was an impetus for reform.
The second Test of the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be held from August 30 to September 3 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As the teams prepare for the next match, the pressure is on Pakistan to improve their performance and avoid further setbacks.
Earlier this year, following a six-run defeat to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Naqvi had hinted at the need for a major overhaul in the national team. After Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup put their qualification for the Super Eight stage at risk, Naqvi suggested that significant changes were necessary. At that time, he had remarked that while initially, he believed a minor adjustment would suffice, the poor performance warranted a major overhaul. “The nation will soon witness substantial changes,” Naqvi had declared, reflecting his intention to address the team’s shortcomings comprehensively.
The criticism from Hafeez and the comments from Naqvi highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan cricket. As the team and the PCB navigate this period of scrutiny and change, the focus will be on implementing effective solutions and restoring confidence among fans and stakeholders.