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The recent defeat of the Pakistan cricket team against Bangladesh in the first Test match at home has sparked widespread criticism, with former Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan leading the charge. Khan, known for his passionate involvement in the sport, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment and lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its chairperson, Mohsin Naqvi. He declared Naqvi “unqualified” for the role and accused the current government of mishandling the affairs of the board.
Khan pointed to the team's recent slump, including their failure to reach the top four in the World Cup and the top eight in T20, culminating in the embarrassing loss to Bangladesh. He highlighted the stark contrast to just two and a half years ago, when the team had defeated India by 10 wickets. This drastic decline, according to Khan, is a direct result of the PCB's mismanagement. He further questioned Naqvi's qualifications, citing his involvement in various controversies including property ownership in Dubai and alleged corruption.
Joining Khan in expressing his frustration was former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad. He directed his criticism at the current Test captain, Shan Masood, accusing him of lacking a clear vision and failing to read the playing conditions. Shahzad particularly pointed to the captain's decision to not play a spinner in the Rawalpindi Test despite the pitch's nature, calling it a mistake. He also questioned Masood's leadership qualities and his inability to inspire the team to perform at its best.
The stinging critiques from these prominent figures in Pakistan cricket underscore the deep dissatisfaction with the team's performance and the perceived shortcomings of the leadership. The defeat to Bangladesh, a team traditionally considered weaker than Pakistan, has exposed the vulnerabilities within the national side and raised concerns about the direction of Pakistan cricket. The pressure is now on the PCB and the team management to address these concerns and take decisive action to restore the team's former glory and regain the trust of the passionate Pakistani fans.