Pakistan Cricket's Urgent Overhaul: Post-Bangladesh Loss Strategy

In the aftermath of Pakistan's 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the lack of quality backup players. Plans are underway to utilize AI and the new Champions Cup to strengthen the team, as domestic cricket aims for an overhaul to rectify ongoing issues.

A lack of quality backup is eroding the strength of the national team, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi disclosed following a 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first test.

"It was a very disappointing loss," Naqvi said Monday, after Bangladesh's historic win against Pakistan in their 14th test match encounter at Rawalpindi.

"The problem is the selection committee has no pool to turn to'' for high-quality replacement players, he added.

Pakistan has been searching for a test win at home since a victory over South Africa at Rawalpindi in December 2021. The first-test loss marks their fifth home defeat within that period, which also includes four draws.

Naqvi spoke about a significant overhaul after Pakistan was ousted from the Super Eight at the T20 World Cup, losing to archrival India and tournament co-host United States.

"We want to fix our problems," Naqvi said, "but when we look at how to resolve them, we lack solid data or an elite player pool.'' The Pakistan Cricket Board plans to use AI to help harness a pool of backup players from the new 50-over Champions Cup, scheduled for Sept. 12-29.

Pakistan cricket icons Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed will mentor the five teams in the Champions Cup.

"This Cup will fortify domestic cricket; we'll have a pool of 150 players, and then the selection committee will act," Naqvi said, noting that critics are urging for a swift test team overhaul. ''But you can't discard someone unless you have a superior replacement." Pakistan's strategy to forgo a specialist spinner against Bangladesh backfired, with a 117-run deficit in the first innings as Bangladesh scored 565 in response to Pakistan's 448-6 declared.

In the second innings, Pakistan faltered for 146 against Bangladesh spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who collectively took seven wickets.

''Losing to Bangladesh is disappointing, but the selection committee provided 17 players," Naqvi stated. "If the coach or captain didn't utilize some of them, that's their decision. Team management may have erred, but it doesn't reflect the selection committee's choices."

(With inputs from agencies.)