KARACHI: Pakistan’s loss to the West Indies by 120 runs in the second Test drew sharp criticism from former cricketers Rashid Latif and Sikandar Bakht on Monday. The defeat handed the visiting team their first-ever Test win in Pakistan since 1990, leaving the two-match series tied at 1-1.
Dependency on Spin Attack
Sikandar Bakht expressed disapproval over Pakistan’s overreliance on spin bowling throughout the series, questioning the lack of variation in the squad.
“No team can win by relying on one approach. Fast bowlers, spinners, and all-rounders are all necessary. The spin strategy worked against England because they were unprepared, but now every team knows how to counter it,” Bakht stated.
He also critiqued Shan Masood’s comments about not being prepared for the conditions:
“It’s baffling to hear Shan Masood say, ‘We were not ready.’ That statement shows a lack of personal and team readiness.”
Batting and Management Issues
Former captain Rashid Latif echoed Bakht’s sentiments, emphasizing Pakistan’s persistent batting woes and lack of preparation.
“Our batting continues to struggle. We’ve lost nine of 12 Test matches under Shan Masood’s captaincy, including two to Bangladesh. The management needs to address these issues immediately.”
Latif and Bakht also called out frequent changes in the team setup and ineffective selection committees as significant contributors to the team’s struggles.
“Poor planning, constant changes, and a clueless selection process are holding Pakistan cricket back,” Rashid said.
Concerns About Domestic Cricket
Both cricketers expressed disappointment over the lack of domestic cricket participation by top players like Babar Azam.
“Players like Babar have low averages in home matches, and that’s concerning. Even in India, players like Virat Kohli face criticism for not playing enough domestic cricket,” Bakht added.
Latif and Bakht agreed that Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure needs urgent attention to produce well-prepared and versatile players for international cricket.
The Way Forward
- Inclusion of fast bowlers and all-rounders to add balance to the squad.
- Encouragement for senior players to actively participate in domestic cricket.
- Stable planning and consistent team selection to build a cohesive unit.
Pakistan’s defeat has underscored the need for a strategic rethink to ensure the team can adapt to varying conditions and bounce back in future series.