Rumours of division have once again emerged within Pakistan cricket. Following their 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh, the team's players are understandably downcast. Adding to their woes is unrest within the dressing room. Pakistani media reports suggest that the team management is blaming the pace bowlers for the loss.
In 2021, Pakistan triumphed over South Africa at home, largely due to the superb pace bowling of Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali. Since then, they have favoured pace-friendly pitches, although this strategy has not brought much success. Pakistan has not won a Test match since that series against South Africa.
The pitch in Rawalpindi was prepared with the pacers in mind, featuring a significant amount of grass. Pakistan fielded four pace bowlers and no specialist spinner. However, Bangladesh's spin bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, had predicted that spinners could make the difference. This proved to be true, as Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz took seven wickets between them, securing victory for the Tigers.
Despite Bangladesh's success with spin, the Pakistan team management believes that the home team's pacers' shortcomings led to their defeat. Senior players in the team share this belief and have expressed it in the dressing room. Many have pointed out the lack of pace from the fast bowlers, which has negatively impacted the team.
Pakistan felt relatively secure after scoring 448 runs in the first innings. However, Bangladesh's batting unit surpassed this total with ease, amassing a massive 565 runs, bolstered by five half-centuries. The Pakistan team management attributes this large total to the lack of sufficient pace from their bowlers.
In the second innings, Bangladesh demonstrated the effectiveness of spin, dismissing Shan Masood's team for just 146 runs. The Tigers were set a target of 30 runs, which openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam achieved with ease.
The second Test of the series begins on 30th August. Avoiding defeat in this match would give Bangladesh their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan. The second match will also be held in Rawalpindi.
