Former Pakistan wicket-keeper bat Kamran Akmal has criticized the Shan Masood-led team after their humiliating 10-wicket loss against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Akmal said not even club cricketers play like the way Pakistan played against the Tigers.
The hosts declared after posting 448-6 on a flat track after centuries from Saud Saukeel and Mohammed Rizwan. However, the visitors posted 565 on the board to take a 117-run lead after Mushfiqur Rahim scored a magnum opus knock of 191 runs.
But Pakistan was then bundled out for only 146 runs to give a mere target of 30 runs to the tourists. Mohammed Rizwan scored 51 runs but none of the other batters could show any gumption in the second essay. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers as he scalped four wickets whereas Shakib Al Hasan picked up three wickets.
This was Bangladesh’s first Test victory against Pakistan and thus a historic one.
“Had Rizwan not scored a 50 and ran the scoreboard, you’ve would’ve lost by an innings. You haven’t learned anything in the last 5 years. You lost to Zimbabwe. Last year, you were eliminated from Asia Cup. You were humiliated at the T20 World Cup. Made a complete mockery of Pakistan cricket,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
“It was a difficult time for Bangladesh but their batters scored runs. They had to save the Test, and they not only did that but also won the game. They basically exposed Pakistan cricket. And our players were batting like club cricketers. Sorry, not even club cricketers play like this. The approach was poor. Players are having a laugh in the dressing room, there is no seriousness because they know nobody will ask anything. It seems that you are playing for fun,” he added.
On the other hand, Pakistan skipper Shan Masood admitted they have to rectify the mistakes they committed in the opening Test.
“A lot of factors but we we have to rectify the mistakes that we did. Looking at the pitch, we expected the pitch to do more and with three fast bowlers, we wanted to have a go. At the end the of the day, we didn’t get a lot of things right,” Shan Masood said at the post-match presentation.
The second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played at Rawalpindi from Friday onwards.
