Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen recently expressed his concerns about the state of Pakistan cricket following the team’s surprising loss to Bangladesh in the first Test of their ongoing series. Drawing from his experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pietersen shared his disappointment, noting that he had higher expectations from Pakistan, especially considering their previous strengths.
The defeat against Bangladesh marked the fourth time Pakistan had lost a Test match after declaring in the first innings—a rare and concerning trend. Bangladesh capitalized on the flat conditions, securing a dominant 10-wicket victory that left many questioning the state of Pakistani cricket.
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Kevin Pietersen took to social media to voice his thoughts, tweeting, “What happened to cricket in Pakistan? When I played in the PSL, the standard of that league was tremendous; the players had a very good work ethic, and the youngsters on display were magic. What’s happening there?”
What happened to cricket in Pakistan? When I played the PSL, the standard of that league was tremendous, the players had a very good work ethic and the youngsters on display were magic.
What’s happening there?
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) August 26, 2024
His comments reflect a stark contrast between his positive experiences in the PSL from 2016 to 2018 and the current struggles of the national team. Many of his former PSL teammates have either retired or are no longer selected due to age, which may have contributed to the team’s decline.
Adding to the conversation, former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja offered a critical analysis of the issues facing Pakistan cricket. He attributed the team’s losses to an inability to handle pressure, a recurring problem in recent years.
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“If any team can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it’s Pakistan,” Raja remarked in a video on his YouTube channel. He highlighted how the team often crumbles under pressure, whether it’s the batting lineup faltering or the bowlers delivering poor spells. According to Raja, the belief system within the team disintegrates when faced with challenging situations, and until this mental block is addressed, Pakistan will continue to struggle on the big stage.
