Shoaib Akhtar Highlights Real Reason Behind Pakistan’s Defeat to Bangladesh

Pakistan’s defeat in the first T20I against Bangladesh hasn’t just raised eyebrows—it has drawn strong words from former cricketers, including fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. The former speedster has revealed what he thinks went wrong for the Green Shirts in the opening game.

Speaking on a local TV show after Pakistan’s 7-wicket loss in Dhaka on Sunday, Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in his criticism of the team’s approach, accusing the team of failing to evolve in the format. He said the same old mistakes were costing them results.

“Pakistan is still stuck in an era where they fail to capitalise on a good start. Apart from Fakhar [Zaman], there was no resistance,” said Akhtar, referring to the left-hander’s 44 off 34 balls — the only innings of note in Pakistan’s 110 all out.

The team lost its way after Fakhar’s early blitz, leading to a below-par score before a lack of experienced bowling options cost them in defence, which Akhtar was quick to point out.

“We felt the absence of Shaheen and Naseem — I mean, they are specialist T20 bowlers and could have turned the game in our favour. But, as you know, the score was just too low this time, and Bangladesh delivered a clinical and dominant performance,” Shoaib Akhtar said.

Despite a bright start by debutant Salman Mirza, the bowlers couldn’t maintain pressure as Parvez Hossain Emon’s calm and confident 56* guided the hosts home in just 15.3 overs, with Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali providing steady support on a less-than-ideal wicket.

As things stand, Pakistan need to win tomorrow to avoid conceding the series, and Sunday’s loss has only intensified the pressure on a side that continues to struggle with consistency and clarity.

For Shoaib Akhtar and many others, the frustration lies not just in the defeat but in how little Pakistan seems to be learning from them, especially on foreign tracks. If Pakistan loses tomorrow, the captious voices are only going to grow louder.