Pakistan suffered their first defeat against Bangladesh in a Test match, with captain Shan Masood acknowledging that his team made “a lot of mistakes” over the course of the game. Despite a slow-paced match where only 17 wickets fell in four days, Bangladesh dominated with their spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, dismissing Pakistan for 146 in the second innings to set up a 30-run target. This led to a dramatic ten-wicket victory for Bangladesh on the final day.
Reflecting on the loss, Masood admitted that Bangladesh deserved to win due to their disciplined batting performance. He highlighted missed opportunities during key moments, especially with the second new ball where Pakistan failed to capitalize. Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood also pointed out a crucial passage of play on the third day when Bangladesh capitalized on erratic bowling to gain momentum.
As the pitch flattened out, Bangladesh surpassed Pakistan’s first innings total, taking a 117-run lead after declaring at 448 for 6. Masood expressed regret that Pakistan did not score more runs, which could have kept them in the game. He defended the decision to opt for an all-pace attack, citing workload and weather conditions as factors that influenced the team’s strategy.
Despite the disappointing loss, Masood emphasized the need for unity within the team and accepted responsibility for the defeat. He acknowledged that Pakistan missed opportunities to apply pressure on Bangladesh and praised their opponents for their disciplined approach. Masood apologized to the nation for failing to deliver the desired result and expressed a desire to learn from their mistakes.
Looking ahead, Masood maintained confidence in the team’s decisions, hinting at a possible change in the bowling line-up for the second Test. He reassured that there is no need for panic and emphasized the importance of adapting to pitch and weather conditions. Masood’s reflections on the defeat highlighted the team’s determination to learn and improve for future matches.