In a blistering attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has condemned the board’s selection policies and strategic decisions following Pakistan’s historic 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test. This crushing loss marked Bangladesh’s maiden Test victory over Pakistan on Pakistani soil, a monumental upset that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
Shehzad, visibly frustrated, expressed his disappointment in a video posted on X, describing the defeat as a new low for Pakistani cricket. He pointed out that Pakistan, despite their home advantage, had never before suffered a Test loss to Bangladesh. He attributed the team’s poor performance to a combination of factors, including their batting, bowling, and fielding, but ultimately placed the blame squarely on the PCB’s shoulders.
The cricketer’s criticism focused on the PCB’s short-sighted decisions, which he believes have led to the team’s steady decline. Drawing parallels with the downfall of Pakistani hockey, Shehzad warned that the team’s recovery from this defeat would be arduous, much like their struggle to recover from their 2023 ODI World Cup loss to Afghanistan.
Shehzad, however, refrained from blaming the players for the loss, instead directing his ire towards the PCB’s lack of vision and their failure to nurture domestic talent. He argued that the PCB’s persistent selection of players, despite their lack of consistent performance, has stifled the growth of deserving domestic players and hindered the overall development of the team.
The defeat in Rawalpindi has ignited a firestorm of criticism directed at the PCB, prompting calls for introspection and significant changes within the board. The cricketing community grapples with the implications of this historic loss, questioning the PCB’s direction and their ability to lead Pakistan cricket back to its former glory. The future of Pakistan cricket hangs in the balance as the PCB faces increasing pressure to address the issues that have led to this devastating setback.
