'People have started to hate cricket' - Basit Ali after Pakistan's historic Test series drubbing against Bangladesh

After failing to go past the group stages of 2023 ODI and 2024 T20I World Cups, Pakistan's torrid spell has extended to Test cricket too, with the team suffering a historic 0-2 series defeat to Bangladesh at home. Bangladesh beat Shan Masood and Co. by a six-wicket margin in the second Test in Rawalpindi after a 10-wicket win in the first Test at the same venue to extend Pakistan's winless run in the longest format to 10 games.

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali expressed frustration on behalf of the citizens of the cricket-crazy nation and admitted that Pakistan did not play as a cohesive group.

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"People have started to hate cricket. Bangladesh has shown us the mirror of what we are at the international level. It's a cliché that wins and losses are part of the game, but this is a seismic shock. Pakistan did not play as a unit and the players looked scattered. It is sad and embarrassing to say that this is Pakistan's team," stated Basit, as quoted by NDTV Sports.

I was left embarrassed at the way they have lost from good positions: Akram

Former Pakistani maestro, Wasim Akram, echoed same sentiments, stating that he was "left embarrassed" by the manner in Pakistan squandered a lot of situations where they could have come out on top.

"It's a huge setback and our cricket is at a crossroads. For a former player and captain and a lover of the game, I was left embarrassed at the way they have lost from good positions. I simply don't get it. We are losing consistently on home turf and that says a lot about the quality of our cricket," added Akram.

Akram also noted that there was no immediate solution to bettering the situation of cricket in Pakistan, and that the only virtue which would help would be that of patience. "We have a lot to work on. As a cricketing nation, we have to be patient, that's the key. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix."

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All that the Pakistan fans can hope now is to see an improved performance from their team when they  host England in a three-match Test series in October.