‘We did the same thing that we do every time’ – Ahmed Shehzad slams Pakistan for poor outing in 2nd Test versus Bangladesh

Ahmad Shahzad and Pakistan Test Cricket team. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad recently critiqued the national team’s batting performance in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As Pakistan faces the prospect of a historic series defeat on home soil, the former player spoke about the concerning trend in the team’s recent performances across formats.

Pakistan’s cricket fortunes have taken a sharp downturn since their brief rise to the top of the ODI rankings during last year’s Asia Cup. The team has suffered early exits from both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside four consecutive Test defeats. Now, facing Bangladesh in a home series, the Men in Green are on the brink of a whitewash after losing the first Test by 10 wickets and struggling in the second.

“Bangladeshi bowlers strike back. And the Bangladeshi bowlers have once again made the Pakistani batsmen dance to their tunes. The same shot selections that we have been talking about — the T20 shots — we have seen them once again. The bat of the batsman is going so far away from his body. In T20 cricket or in T10 cricket as well, when a player gets out like this, the coaches question them,” he said in a video shared on X.

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You are getting out by hitting these shots in Test cricket: Ahmed Shehzad

The former opener Ahmed Shehzad’s frustration was visible as he questioned the players’ ability to learn from their mistakes. He questioned their desire to play and their skills and asked that are the fans and experts putting immense pressure on them.

“You are getting out by hitting these shots in Test cricket. You are not learning from your mistakes. Maybe you don’t have the desire or the skills. Or maybe we are making a mistake by putting expectations on you or this nation is making a mistake by putting expectations on you. You are playing with their emotions like this,” he added.

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However, Shehzad was careful not to place the blame solely on the players. He pointed out that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was also responsible for the current state of affairs. Besides, adding to their woes, Bangladesh scripted history by winning their first-ever Test against Pakistan.

“I don’t hold only the players responsible for this. The PCB is equally responsible. Because some things were right in front of us. We had to take some decisions. But we did the same thing that we do every time. We tried to distract the public by talking on TV. After that, we thought that Bangladesh cricket will come. We will definitely defeat them. When we defeat them, the public’s anger will cool down.”

The hosts were bundled out for 172 in their second innings and the tourists are already halfway through the chase with less than 100 runs to win and still have eight wickets in their hand.