ISLAMABAD: After a 35-year wait, the West Indies celebrated their first victory on Pakistani soil, levelling the series at 1-1. This triumph came at a cost for the Pakistan cricket team, which faced significant criticism from fans and former players alike due to their lacklustre performance, culminating in a disappointing 120-run defeat in the second and final Test.
The last time West Indies claimed a Test match victory in Pakistan was back in November 1990, in Faisalabad.
Former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif and Sikandar Bakht have voiced their discontent regarding the Pakistan cricket team’s recent performance, particularly lamenting the fact that they allowed the West Indies to secure their inaugural Test victory in Pakistan after a staggering 35 years.
Bakht expressed his concerns about Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin bowlers throughout the two-match Test series, questioning the wisdom of deploying only spinners. He emphasized that “no team can succeed with a singular strategy; diversity in approach is essential.”
“A well-rounded team should feature fast bowlers, spinners, and all-rounders. While you triumphed over England, they were caught off guard. Now, every team visiting Pakistan will come prepared for the spin assault. This one-dimensional strategy is flawed; variation is key. Fast bowlers should have been integrated into the lineup,” he asserted.
The 67-year-old also expressed bewilderment at Shan Masood’s remarks about the team’s unpreparedness for the playing conditions, stating, “I fail to comprehend why Shan Masood claimed, ‘We were not ready for these conditions.’ What does that imply? It appears he himself was unprepared to face these conditions, and he seems to be admitting it.”
Rashid Latif, a former captain of Pakistan, also weighed in, attributing the team’s difficulties to ongoing batting issues. He criticized the squad’s lack of preparation and their inability to adapt to various challenges.
“We won three out of four matches, yet no one discusses the defeats, including the 12 Test matches under Shan’s captaincy, of which he lost nine, two of them against Bangladesh,” Rashid pointed out.
Both Bakht and Latif concurred that substantial improvements are necessary within Pakistan’s cricket management. Latif highlighted poor planning, constant changes, and ineffective selection committees as fundamental issues plaguing the team.
Bakht echoed these concerns, advocating for the inclusion of fast bowlers in the squad and noting that players like Sajid Khan, who could prove valuable in ODIs, are being overlooked.
ALSO READ: Shan Masood Rebukes Journalist’s ‘Disrespectful’ Question After Multan Test Defeat
“The core problems are evident: inadequate planning, excessive changes, and directionless selection committees,” Rashid stated.
Regarding domestic cricket, both Bakht and Latif raised alarms about top players, including Babar Azam, not participating in domestic competitions.
“Babar Azam’s low averages in home matches are troubling,” Bakht remarked.
Rashid added that even in India, players like Virat Kohli face scrutiny for not engaging enough in domestic cricket.
