Pakistan suffers a humiliating whitewash by Bangladesh at home, exposing poor leadership from Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and PCB Chairman Mohsin. What went wrong?
Pakistan cricket fans recently witnessed a debacle on home soil as Bangladesh inflicted a humiliating whitewash, leaving the team reeling and the nation in shock. This defeat isn’t just another disappointing series loss—it’s a significant wake-up call about the current state of Pakistan cricket. The team, which has long been known for its competitive spirit, fell apart under the leadership of Shan Masood. Both captains, alongside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Chairman Mohsin, have been criticized for their roles in this embarrassing episode.
This debacle raises fundamental questions about leadership, strategy, accountability, and Pakistan cricket’s overall trajectory. It’s not just the players’ performance that should concern fans, but also the glaring flaws in decision-making, both on the field and behind the scenes.
Shan Masood’s Leadership Failure
While much criticism has been directed towards Babar Azam, Shan Masood also shoulders significant blame. Tasked with leading the team in critical moments, Shan proved ineffective in guiding his players through a challenging series. Masood’s appointment as captain for certain matches raised eyebrows, and his inability to deliver tactical and inspirational leadership only fueled those doubts.
Ineffective Decision-Making
Shan Masood’s captaincy lacked creativity and flexibility. He consistently failed to make the right tactical adjustments in response to Bangladesh’s dominant play. His field settings were conservative, and like Babar, he struggled to rotate bowlers effectively or take calculated risks when the game was slipping away. Instead of reading the match situations well and responding with innovative strategies, Masood opted for conventional and often predictable moves that Bangladesh easily exploited.
Failure to Motivate the Team
A leader is expected to inspire, especially when the chips are down. Unfortunately, Shan seemed disconnected from his players and was unable to rally them when they were under pressure. His inability to motivate the team was particularly evident when the side collapsed both mentally and physically, leaving the door wide open for Bangladesh to dominate.
Babar Azam: A Captain Out of Depth
Babar Azam’s leadership has been under fire for quite some time, and this series only highlighted his ongoing struggles as a batsman. While he is undoubtedly a world-class batsman, his captaincy left much to be desired. In this series, Babar’s tactical shortcomings were exposed repeatedly, leaving fans and critics questioning his suitability for the role of a proper batsman.
Lack of Leadership Presence
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Shan’s captaincy is his inability to lead by example, both in terms of performance and motivating the team. While Babar has often been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting, his form dipped when the team needed him most. This not only put additional pressure on the team but also undermined his authority as a leader. His body language on the field lacked the intensity and fire that is essential for a captain in crisis.
PCB Chairman Mohsin: The Man Behind the Failure
While the captain on the field has rightly been criticized, the deeper issue lies within the PCB, and at the heart of it is Chairman Mohsin. His leadership has been marked by indecisiveness, short-term thinking, and an inability to address the fundamental problems plaguing Pakistan cricket.
Absence of a Strategic Vision
Under Mohsin’s leadership, the PCB has lacked a coherent long-term strategy. There is no clear plan for nurturing young talent, improving infrastructure, or ensuring the national team competes consistently at the highest level. Pakistan’s cricketing structure is in disarray, and the series of defeats against Bangladesh is a direct result of this failure.
Mohsin’s tenure has been characterized by an absence of innovation, leaving Pakistan trailing behind other cricketing nations that have adopted modern strategies to improve performance. While the world moves forward, Pakistan cricket remains stuck, relying on old-fashioned methods that simply no longer work in today’s fast-paced game.
Poor Player Management and Selection Blunders
One of the most glaring issues during Mohsin’s reign has been the PCB’s inability to manage its talent pool effectively. The selection process for the series against Bangladesh was deeply flawed. Persisting with out-of-form players and ignoring rising stars from the domestic circuit has been a consistent problem under his administration.
This lack of accountability and poor decision-making has left the team directionless. The frequent changes in team management and the absence of stability have taken their toll on player performance. Players seem unsure of their roles, which has led to the disjointed performances seen throughout this series.
Causes of the Whitewash
While leadership failures are at the core of Pakistan’s embarrassment, several other factors contributed to the whitewash.
-
Disjointed Batting Lineup
Pakistan’s batting lineup lacked cohesion and discipline. Players appeared unsure of their roles within the team, and there was no clear game plan on how to approach Bangladesh’s bowlers. While Bangladesh’s strategy was evident, Pakistan’s batsmen either played recklessly or became too defensive, resulting in frequent collapses.
-
Inconsistent Bowling Attack
Pakistan’s bowling, which has traditionally been their strength, was toothless in this series. There was no clear plan on how to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting order, and the lack of variety in the bowling attack made life easier for the opposition. The spinners were particularly ineffective, with no one stepping up to take responsibility.
-
Home Advantage Squandered
Playing at home should have been a significant advantage for Pakistan, but they failed to capitalize on it. Bangladesh, by contrast, adapted to the conditions better, showing greater discipline and a better understanding of the pitch.
-
Fitness Issues
Pakistan’s poor fitness levels were exposed during this series. Players looked sluggish in the field, which affected their ability to save runs and take crucial catches. This lack of physical sharpness was a major contributor to Pakistan’s failure to apply pressure on Bangladesh.
Shan Masood’s and Babar Azam’s Leadership: A Dual Problem
The leadership crisis in Pakistan cricket is not limited to one individual—it extends to both Shan Masood and Babar Azam. While Babar is often seen as the face of Pakistan cricket, Shan was given responsibility during this series, and his performance as captain was equally underwhelming.
The Need for a Clear Chain of Command
The dual leadership setup only added to the confusion. The players seemed unsure who to look up to, with both Shan and Babar struggling to assert authority. Leadership is about clarity, and the lack of a clear chain of command created unnecessary chaos within the team. Pakistan cricket needs a leader who can command respect, provide clarity, and make bold decisions under pressure.
Time for a Fresh Approach
Pakistan cricket is in desperate need of fresh leadership. Whether it’s giving a young, dynamic player the chance to lead the team or appointing a captain with proven tactical acumen, change is necessary. The current setup, with both Shan Masood and Babar Azam at the helm, is not delivering the results that Pakistan cricket needs.
The PCB’s Role in the Crisis
The PCB, under Mohsin, must also bear responsibility for this crisis. The lack of vision, poor selection policies, and constant management reshuffles have left Pakistan cricket in a vulnerable state. The failure to address underlying issues within the domestic structure, combined with the lack of player development programs, has created a situation where Pakistan cricket is no longer competitive on the international stage.
A Leadership Crisis on All Fronts
Pakistan’s humiliating whitewash by Bangladesh should serve as a loud and clear wake-up call. Both Shan Masood and Babar Azam have failed in their roles as leaders, and PCB Chairman Mohsin has only added to the chaos with his mismanagement. Pakistan cricket is in dire need of a leadership overhaul, both on and off the field. If the necessary changes aren’t made, Pakistan risks falling further behind on the international stage.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC Confirms No Plan of Relocation.