Pakistan cricket team has always been one of unpredictable teams in the world where they did some unthinkable in both aspects. They did win from some situations and against those teams where it used to look so tough but on the other hand, they have lost to those teams and from situations where it was almost expected that this is their match.
If you have been following the Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test series then you would know that Bangladesh has just whitewashed the two-match series. It has been a total humiliation for the Pakistan team and their fans. This home defeat isn’t just another loss where it could make a big shift in their board to some player’s future.
Let’s analyze all the reasons for the defeat of Pakistan and the victory of Bangladesh. So stay tuned to the end.
Scorecard of the 2nd Test Match
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
| Pakistan | 274 all out | 172 all out |
| Bangladesh | 262 all out | 185/4 |
Top Performers:
- Bangladesh Batting: Zakir Hasan (40), Najmul Hossain Shanto (38), Mominul Haque (34)
- Bangladesh Bowling: Hasan Mahmud (5-43), Nahid (4-44)
- Pakistan Batting: Babar Azam (55 in the 1st innings), Agha Salman (50 in the 1st innings)
- Pakistan Bowling: Shaheen Afridi (4-58 in the 1st innings)
Shan Masood (Pakistan’s Test captain)
The Reasons for This Series Whitewash for Pakistan
Pakistan’s 2-0 series defeat to Bangladesh is not just about one or two bad games where it is more of a culmination of deeper issues going in the team.
- Leadership Struggles: Shan Masood (Pakistan’s Test captain) has had a tough run where he has lost all five matches under his leadership as of now. This streak is raising some serious concerns about the leadership within the team. As we all know that the captain’s confidence and decision-making play a crucial role in tight situations and Pakistan does seem to lack that edge in this series.
- Batting Woes: Pakistan’s batting lineup just crumbled under pressure in both matches. They failed to put up competitive totals which left their bowlers with little to defend. Despite taking a lead in the first innings of the second Test, Pakistan’s batting fell apart in the second innings which allowed Bangladesh to chase down a modest target of 185 runs.
- Overreliance on Star Players: Babar Azam who is Pakistan’s most dependable batsman couldn’t be able to deliver in this series. When the team is too dependent on one or two key players then the entire setup becomes fragile if those players fail to perform. The absence of collective responsibility was evident as others failed to step up in crucial moments.
- Fielding and Catching: Dropped catches and missed opportunities in the field cost Pakistan dearly. In Test cricket where every run counts, fielding can often make or break a game. Pakistan’s lapses in the field added pressure on their bowlers and allowed Bangladesh to come back into the game on multiple occasions.
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What Did Bangladesh Do Right for This Away Victory?
While Pakistan struggled but Bangladesh played smart and gritty cricket. They deserve every bit of this historic win.
- Mental Toughness: After being 26/6 in their first innings, most of the teams would have crumbled. But Bangladesh showed immense mental strength to recover and put up a fighting total of 262. This resilience has proved to be the turning point of the series.
- Team Effort: Bangladesh’s victory was a collective effort, unlike Pakistan. Shakib Al Hasan, Zakir Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim among others have contributed to a big time at different stages. Their team didn’t rely on one or two players and everyone chipped in when needed.
- Tactical Brilliance: Bangladesh’s bowlers particularly the pacers were on point. Bangladesh’s fast bowlers took all ten wickets in an innings for the first time which showcased their growth in the pace department. Their bowlers adapted well to the conditions and used reverse swing and seam movement effectively.
- Capitalizing on Pakistan’s Weaknesses: Bangladesh identified Pakistan’s vulnerabilities especially in their middle-order batting and their lack of confidence. They exploited these weaknesses by maintaining pressure and not allowing Pakistan to settle into a rhythm in the whole series.
Where Does Pakistan and Bangladesh Stand in the World Test Championship Table?
The impact of this series goes beyond just a win or loss because it has significantly altered the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Bangladesh has moved up to fourth place in the WTC standings while Pakistan has dropped to eighth and just above West Indies. This series win is particularly significant for Bangladesh who have now won more Test matches in this WTC cycle than they did in the previous two combined.
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Fan Reactions After Defeat of Pakistan
How Big of a Humiliation Is This for Pakistan?
This series of defeats is more than just a bad performance for Pakistan but it is a national humiliation. Cricket is not just a sport in Pakistan where it’s a passion or almost a religion. To be whitewashed at home by a team that many considered inferior is a bitter pill to swallow.
- Fan Reactions: The backlash from fans and former players has been intense since the defeat. Social media is flooded with criticism with some calling it the “death of Pakistan cricket.” Such reactions are understandable given Pakistan’s proud cricketing history where Imran Khan was the captain.
- Comparison to Past Failures: This isn’t the first time Pakistan has faced criticism in recent times but this defeat feels different. Losing to Bangladesh at home, especially in such a manner is being seen as a low point in Pakistan’s cricket history. This one hints at deeper issues within the team, unlike previous losses.
- Psychological Impact: This series of defeats could have long-lasting effects on the players’ confidence. It is not easy to recover from such a public failure and the mental scars will take time to heal. Pakistan will need to rebuild not just their team but also their self-belief.
The last time Pakistan experienced such a drought at home was between 1969 and 1975 when they went winless for 11 Tests.
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How Big of a Victory is This for Bangladesh?
This whitewashed win is one of the biggest achievements for Bangladesh ever. It’s a victory that will be remembered for years to come. It will inspire future generations of Bangladeshi cricketers.
- Historic Achievement: This is only Bangladesh’s third Test series win away from home. It is even more special because they have done it against the Pakistan team that has traditionally dominated them. This victory will boost the confidence of the entire team and the nation.
- A Win in Political Crisis: Bangladesh is going through a difficult time politically with tensions high in the country after their PM left the country. This cricketing success has brought some much-needed joy and pride to the nation. Sports often provide a welcome distraction and a sense of unity in the time of crisis and this victory has done just that for Bangladesh.
- Growth in World Cricket: Bangladesh has been improving steadily over the years if we look at their performance and this win is a testament to that growth. No longer can they be considered pushovers in international cricket. This series win will force other teams to take Bangladesh more seriously especially in Test cricket.
Conclusion About Bangladesh vs Pakistan Test Series:
It is time to sum up the Bangladesh vs Pakistan test series. This victory against Pakistan couldn’t have come at a better time for Bangladesh which is going through a crisis and where cricket is the most beloved sport. It should be a challenge to go through the mistakes and overcome them for Pakistan. We would love to see good healthy competition between teams to promote cricket as a global sport.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
