Pakistan’s woes were compounded after Sunday’s 2-1 ODI series defeat by Bangladesh, drawing heavy criticism from former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who questioned the state of the country’s cricket, saying: “If you don’t beat teams in matches, are you going to steal ICC trophies and bring them home?”Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Bangladesh clinched the series by defeating Pakistan by 11 runs in the third and final ODI at the Sher Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The defeat added to Pakistan’s struggles after a disappointing early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Bangladesh scored 290 runs for five wickets when asked to bat thanks to Tanzid Hasan’s brilliant century. The opener scored a fluent 107 off 98 balls, hitting six fours and seven sixes, and shared a 105-run partnership with Saif Hasan, who scored 36 runs. Later, the partnership of Latin Das (41) and Toheed Hardoy (48) ensured the hosts a challenging target.Pakistan’s bowling effort was led by Haris Rauf who took three wickets while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinner Abrar Ahmed took one each.Chasing 291, Pakistan faltered early and scored 82 for five before Salman Ali Agha mounted a spirited counter-attack. Agha scored 106 off 98 balls to keep Pakistan in the hunt, but his dismissal in the 48th over proved decisive as the visitors were bundled out for 279 in the final over.For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took four wickets while bowling while Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets.Reacting to the defeat on a television show, Akmal lashed out at Pakistan Cricket’s management and decision-making.Akmal said, “Conditions are such that now Holland would also like to play a series against us, beat us and get Test status. This is the state of Pakistan cricket now.”He also questioned Pakistan’s strategy. “It was a good pitch. Why did you choose to bowl first? They could have easily scored 350 today. Litan Das played slowly at the end and still scored 290, still we lost.”Akmal also criticized Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi, citing the controversy surrounding the 2025 Asia Cup trophy bid.“For God’s sake, think of Pakistan cricket, you have made a mockery of it. How are you going to progress when you don’t win series against teams? If you don’t beat teams in matches, are you going to steal ICC trophies and bring them home?”
