Pakistan national cricket team suffered another major setback after losing a third straight Test match to Bangladesh national cricket team, extending a painful run that has raised fresh questions about the team’s direction, selection policies and leadership. The latest defeat came days after Pakistan lost the ODI series in Bangladesh and crashed out of the 2026 T20 World Cup before the semi-finals stage. The result added to a long list of failures that have damaged Pakistan’s reputation across all formats during the past two years. Read More: Pakistan Collapse as Bangladesh Take 1-0 Lead in Test Series Pakistan lost a T20 International to Ireland cricket team before the 2024 T20 World Cup and then suffered a shocking defeat against United States national cricket team in the same tournament. The team also failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage of that World Cup. Months later, Bangladesh swept Pakistan 2-0 in a historic Test series on Pakistani soil. The defeat marked Bangladesh’s first ever Test series win against Pakistan. Pakistan’s red-ball struggles worsened when the side lost a Test match by an innings despite scoring 556 runs in the first innings. The team also suffered embarrassing defeats in white-ball cricket. Pakistan lost both an ODI and a T20I against Zimbabwe national cricket team during a chaotic period marked by inconsistent batting and poor bowling performances. World Cup failures and historic defeats increase pressure Pakistan entered the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy with hopes of revival but failed to win a single match. The side also missed out on a semi-final place in the tournament, extending its poor record in ICC events. The team later recorded its worst ever defeat in T20 International history during a crushing loss that exposed major flaws in bowling and fielding. In another alarming statistic, Pakistan conceded 92 runs in the first six overs of a T20I, one of the most expensive powerplay performances in international cricket history. The batting unit also collapsed for 110 against Bangladesh in a T20I earlier this year. Read More: T20 World Cup Disaster: Rare Moment in Pakistan Cricket History as PCB Fines Squad Pakistan’s struggles against a weakened New Zealand national cricket team side further increased criticism of the team management. Pakistan lost seven of eight matches against New Zealand despite several senior Kiwi players missing because of franchise cricket commitments. Former players and analysts have repeatedly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board for frequent captaincy changes, inconsistent selection policies and instability within the coaching setup. Questions grow over future direction The team’s decline has sparked intense debate among fans and former cricketers in Pakistan. Many critics now question whether Pakistan cricket has entered one of the weakest periods in its modern history. Pakistan still possesses world-class talent, particularly in fast bowling, but inconsistent performances continue to overshadow individual brilliance. Read More: Pakistan Reshuffles Coaching Setup as Sarfaraz Takes Charge for Bangladesh Tests Fans have also expressed frustration over repeated collapses in high-pressure tournaments and poor performances against lower-ranked sides. For a team that once dominated world cricket with unpredictability and flair, the recent results reflect a sharp and worrying decline.
Pakistan Collapse as Bangladesh Take 1-0 Lead in Test Series
Bangladesh defeated Pakistanby 104 runs in the opening Test of the two-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan resumed the fifth day hoping to build on their resistance shown earlier in the match. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers struck regularly to dismiss the visitors for 163 in 52.5 overs. Pakistan lost opener Imam-ul-Haq in the opening over of the day, increasing pressure on the middle order. Read More: Australia Picks Young Guns For Pakistan and Bangladesh Tours Debutant Abdullah Fazal once again impressed with the bat and played the most significant innings of Pakistan’s chase. The left-hander scored 66 from 113 balls and struck 11 boundaries during a composed knock. Fazal had also scored 60 in the first innings, becoming only the sixth Pakistan batter to score fifty-plus runs in both innings on Test debut. Meanwhile, first-innings centurion Azan Awais contributed 15 before spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed him. Salman Ali Agha added 26 runs to keep Pakistan within touching distance of the target during the middle session. At 119 for three, Pakistan still appeared capable of mounting a serious challenge. However, Bangladesh quickly regained control through disciplined bowling. Nahid Rana destroys Pakistan batting lineup Fast bowler Nahid Rana produced the decisive spell of the match and finished with five wickets for 40 runs. Rana removed Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi during a devastating spell. Spinner Taijul Islam and pacer Taskin Ahmed supported Rana with two wickets each. Read More: Pakistan Reshuffles Coaching Setup as Sarfaraz Takes Charge for Bangladesh Tests Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings at 152 for three before declaring on 240 for nine in 70.3 overs. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 87 after also making 101 in the first innings. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali claimed three wickets each in the second innings. Noman Ali reaches milestone despite defeat Pakistan spinner Noman Ali reached an important personal milestone during the match. The left-arm spinner completed his 100th Test wicket after dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 70th over of Bangladesh’s second innings. Noman achieved the feat in just 22 Tests and became the third-fastest Pakistani spinner to reach the landmark. Read More: England Could Host Pakistan for Five Tests After Decades Bangladesh eventually secured a commanding victory and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Najmul Hossain Shanto received the player of the match award for his two vital innings. The second and final Test will begin on May 16 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Australia Picks Young Guns For Pakistan and Bangladesh Tours
Australia national cricket team will use upcoming white-ball tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh to test squad depth after selectors named several inexperienced players, including three potential debutants, for the subcontinent assignments. Cricket Australia announced separate squads for the ODI series in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as the T20 series in Bangladesh. Mitchell Marsh will captain all squads during the tour. Regular ODI captain Pat Cummins and fellow pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will miss the series to rest following their Indian Premier League commitments. Read More: PCB Confirms Australia’s Return for Three Match ODI Series Australia will play three ODIs against Pakistan in Rawalpindi and Lahore from May 30 to June 4 before travelling to Bangladesh for additional ODI and T20 matches. Meanwhile, selectors dropped experienced all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis after Australia’s disappointing campaign at the recent T20 World Cup, where the team failed to advance beyond the group stage. All-rounder Liam Scott earned selection in both ODI squads, while Victoria batter Ollie Peake received a call-up for the Pakistan series. In addition, T20 specialist Joel Davies joined the squad for the three-match T20 series in Chattogram starting on June 17. Selectors focus on long-term depth Chief selector George Bailey said the tours would provide an opportunity to evaluate emerging players in challenging subcontinent conditions. “It’s always exciting to see new players get an opportunity to play international cricket and be a part of the national team,” Bailey said in a statement. “The blend of experienced players coupled with new or returning players will provide a nice mix for these subcontinent tours,” he added. Fast bowlers Billy Stanlake and Riley Meredith also returned for the Pakistan ODI series. Read More: David Warner Ready to Accept Responsibility in Drink-Driving Case Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha retained his place in both ODI squads, while Meredith will remain with the squad for the Bangladesh T20 matches. Selectors also confirmed that Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett would join the Bangladesh ODI squad after completing IPL commitments. As a result, Ollie Peake, Billy Stanlake, Riley Meredith and Matt Short will leave the group following the Pakistan series. Australia balances transition and preparation Australia’s selectors appear focused on building squad depth ahead of future ICC tournaments and the next T20 World Cup cycle. The subcontinent conditions in Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to provide a strong test for younger batters and bowlers, especially against spin-friendly attacks and slower pitches. Australia retained experienced names such as Adam Zampa, Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne to guide the younger players during the tour. Read More: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Child Labour Row: FIR Threat Shakes IPL The Pakistan ODI series will begin on May 30, while Bangladesh will host three ODIs from June 9 to June 14 before the T20 matches begin on June 17.
Debutant Azan Awais Enters Record Books With Brilliant 103
Pakistan opener Azan Awais marked his arrival on the international stage with a composed century on Test debut against Bangladesh national cricket team on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The 21-year-old resumed the third day unbeaten on 85 and completed his hundred in the 51st over of Pakistan’s innings with a single off fast bowler Nahid Rana. Azan’s innings immediately placed him among some of Pakistan cricket’s biggest names. He became only the 14th Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut, joining players such as Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Fawad Alam. The left-handed batter eventually fell for 103 after edging experienced pacer Taskin Ahmed, ending a patient knock that came off 165 deliveries and included 14 boundaries. Pakistan’s dressing room applauded the youngster as he walked back after delivering one of the most memorable innings by a debutant in recent years. Rare achievement in overseas conditions Azan also entered another exclusive list with his century in Dhaka. He became only the third Pakistani batter to score a Test hundred on debut in away conditions. Before him, only Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam achieved the feat. Umar scored 129 in Dunedin against New Zealand national cricket team in 2009, while Fawad struck 168 against Sri Lanka national cricket team in Colombo the same year. Pakistan’s first-ever Test debut centurion was Khalid Ibadulla, who scored 166 against Australia national cricket team in 1964. The country has since produced several memorable debut centuries, including Miandad’s 163 against New Zealand in 1976 and Yasir Hameed’s remarkable twin centuries against Bangladesh in 2003. Yasir remains the only Pakistani batter to score a century in both innings of his debut Test after making 170 and 105 in Multan. Azan’s century also continued Pakistan’s recent trend of successful debutants in red-ball cricket. Kamran Ghulam scored 114 against England cricket team in 2024, while Abid Ali made an unbeaten 109 against Sri Lanka in 2019. Pakistan eyes batting stability Pakistan’s team management has searched for consistency at the top of the order following several changes in recent seasons. Azan’s calm approach and ability to handle Bangladesh’s pace attack on a challenging Dhaka surface will likely strengthen his case for a permanent role in the side. The young batter built his innings carefully and showed discipline outside off stump while rotating strike effectively. His knock also helped Pakistan recover from early pressure in the first Test of the series. Cricket analysts in Pakistan praised the youngster’s temperament and shot selection, describing the innings as a major positive for the national team’s future Test plans. With his maiden Test appearance, Azan has already secured a place in Pakistan cricket history and offered fans hope of another long-term batting prospect. List of Pakistan batters to score Test century on debut: Khalid Ibadulla, Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Mohammad Wasim, Ali Naqvi, Azhar Mahmood, Younis Khan, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Abid Ali, Kamran Ghulam and Azan Awais.
England Could Host Pakistan for Five Tests After Decades
The England and Wales Cricket Board is preparing a major shift in its Test cricket strategy, with Pakistan emerging as a possible opponent for a rare five-match series in England. The plan forms part of the ECB’s broader push to host more long-form home series while reducing the length of some overseas tours. The changes could begin in the next cycle of the International Cricket Council World Test Championship. British media reports said the ECB has already discussed future five-Test series with South Africa and Pakistan. If approved, Pakistan would play a five-Test series in England for the first time in decades. England and Pakistan last contested a five-match Test series in England in 1992. The ECB’s new strategy comes as the ICC considers expanding the World Test Championship to all 12 Test-playing nations. Ireland and Zimbabwe could join a single WTC division under the proposal. One-off Tests may receive WTC status The ICC also plans to give one-off Test matches official WTC status. Current rules require at least a two-match series for championship points. The change could allow England to play its first Test match in Zimbabwe since the 1996-97 tour. The ECB strongly backs the idea of one-Test series. Officials believe smaller cricket nations would benefit from more opportunities to host major teams. At the same time, England wants to stage more commercially attractive home Test series. Internal ECB research found that Test cricket remains England’s most popular cricket format across all age groups. The board now wants to follow the model used by Australia and India. Both countries regularly host five-Test series against leading opponents. The ECB has already proposed a five-Test tour to South Africa in 2032. It also hopes to repeat the arrangement in 2036. Pakistan could become the alternative if talks with South Africa fail. Shorter overseas tours under discussion While England wants larger home Test series, the ECB accepts that lengthy overseas tours struggle financially in several markets. Future tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh may shrink to a single Test match. England would then play additional white-ball games during those tours. Broadcasters and sponsors generate stronger revenue from limited-overs cricket in those countries. Under the ICC working group’s proposed WTC format, each of the 12 teams would play 12 Test matches against at least eight opponents during a two-year cycle. The top two teams would meet in the WTC final every two years at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The venue will host the final until 2031. The proposed format would not force every nation to face all other teams. That flexibility would give cricket boards greater control over scheduling and commercial planning. The ICC board is expected to discuss the proposals later this month. Officials delayed one earlier meeting because of tensions in the Middle East, where the ICC operates from Dubai. Although the next Future Tours Programme runs from 2027 to 2031, the ECB wants to finalize much of England’s schedule through 2036. Officials believe long-term planning will strengthen future broadcast negotiations and improve financial stability.
