Mohammad Abbas impressed again while Pakistan’s senior pacers struggled badly, exposing serious concerns over team selection and balance.
Webdesk – MediaBites News
Pakistan’s ongoing Test struggles in Bangladesh once again highlighted the growing dependence on Mohammad Abbas, whose disciplined bowling effort stood in sharp contrast to the disappointing performances of the rest of the pace attack.
Bangladesh capitalized fully after Pakistan chose to bowl first, posting a commanding first-innings total and punishing an inexperienced and inconsistent bowling unit on a flat Dhaka surface. Abbas remained Pakistan’s standout performer, using accuracy, patience, and stamina to trouble the hosts throughout the innings.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali struggled badly with both rhythm and control. Cricket observers questioned the continued reliance on senior pacers whose recent red-ball performances have failed to justify their selection.
Critics argued that Shaheen Afridi appears overburdened by playing all formats despite declining effectiveness, while Hasan Ali also failed to make a meaningful impact in long spells. Abbas, on the other hand, benefited from extensive county cricket exposure, which has helped maintain his stamina and red-ball discipline.
The performance has intensified debate over Pakistan’s fast-bowling depth, with growing calls for younger pacers such as Ali Raza and Mohammad Ali to be groomed for future Test assignments rather than overreliance on struggling senior names.
Pakistan’s batting concerns also remain unresolved despite a relatively steady response after conceding over 400 runs. While the top order showed resistance, analysts warned that Pakistan’s batting lineup has repeatedly collapsed under pressure in recent overseas Tests and still lacks consistency against disciplined bowling attacks.
Bangladesh once again demonstrated why they remain a dangerous home side. Over the last decade, several top teams have suffered defeats in Bangladesh after arriving underprepared or overconfident, and Pakistan now faces similar pressure in the ongoing Test.
Latest scoreboard summary:
Bangladesh were bowled out for 413 in their first innings, with Mohammad Abbas emerging as Pakistan’s best bowler. In reply, Pakistan reached 169/1 after a strong opening recovery led by Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal. Pakistan, however, still trails Bangladesh by more than 240 runs in the first innings.
