Former players disappointed by Pakistan team’s performance

LAHORE: Former Test captain Javed Miandad expressed his deep disappointment at the current state of Pakistan cricket on Tuesday after the series loss to Bangladesh.

“It is hurting that our cricket has come to this stage. Bangladesh deserve credit for their disciplined performances. But the way our batting has collapsed in this series is a bad sign,” Miandad stated in a video message.

Miandad said the issues extend beyond the players. He attributed the team’s struggles to ongoing instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “I wouldn’t just blame the players because whatever has happened in the board (PCB) in the last one and a half years and the captaincy and management changes have affected the team,” he added.

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said that Pakistan’s inability to win at home in their last nine Tests is worrying. “Home series were always considered our best chance of beating the best sides in the past. But for this to happen, the batsmen need to get runs,” Inzamam remarked.

Younis Khan, Pakistan’s record-breaking batsman, highlighted the psychological toll that the losing streak has had on the team. “When a team enters a losing streak mentally, it becomes difficult to come back. Our batters have got runs in the past, but right now I think they need mental strengthening and a clear mind to overcome this crisis,” Younis stated.

Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim urged the team management to focus on grooming spinners and preparing spin-friendly pitches for home Tests. “We don’t have bowlers of the calibre of Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, or Shoaib Akhtar now. So, we should be banking on our spinners to win us Tests at home,” Qasim recommended.