Pakistan cricket suffered another setback after losing a three-match ODI series to Bangladesh. The defeat comes as the team tries to rebuild after an early exit from the T20 World Cup and to prepare for the ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to take place next year in South Africa.
In the series-deciding third ODI, Salman Ali Agha scored a brilliant 106 off 98 balls, but it wasn’t enough as Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in a nail-biter to the series 2-1. Pakistan, chasing 280, were bowled out for 279, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi stumped off the final ball.
Kamran Akmal on Pakistan ODI series loss vs Bangladesh
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal, who also served as the PCB selector, slammed the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led ODI side for their dismal show against Bangladesh.
“The condition is such that now even the Netherlands would want to play a series against us, beat us, and get Test status. This is the condition of Pakistan cricket now,” he said.
“Bangladesh could have easily scored 350 today, but made only 290. Litton Das played slowly. Even then, we lost” added Akmal
Akmal slammed Naqvi
He also criticised PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who has been in the news for holding the 2025 Asia Cup trophy after India's dominating win against Pakistan in the title decider.
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“If you don’t beat teams in matches, will you now steal ICC trophies and bring them home?” Akmal said.
PAK vs BAN 3rd ODI
Coming back to the match, Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan scored his first ODI century, 107, to help the visitors reach 290-5. Afridi had won the toss and elected to field on the same bouncy pitch where Pakistan was bowled out for just 114 in the first ODI, which Bangladesh won comfortably by eight wickets. Bangladesh had lost the second ODI by 128 runs under the DLS method, being dismissed for only 114.
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PCB filed a complaint vs Bangladesh Cricket
Pakistan filed an official complaint with Neeyamur Rashid following a controversial moment in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur. The issue centres around a decision by on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who allowed Bangladesh to take an LBW review on the second-last ball of the final over.
The incident happened during the penultimate delivery of the 50th over while Pakistan were chasing a target. At that point, they needed 12 runs from the last two balls. Bangladesh captain Rishad Hossain bowled a flighted delivery on the leg stump that spun away from Shaheen Afridi toward the leg side.
The umpire initially called the ball a wide, but Bangladesh then chose to review it for LBW, even though the ball didn’t seem to be heading toward the stumps.