Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has strongly criticized the Pakistan cricket team and its management following their humiliating 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi. Raja expressed his frustration over poor team selection and the declining performance of Pakistan's once-feared fast bowlers.

Raja highlighted the significant errors in Pakistan's strategy, particularly their decision to field four fast bowlers without including a single specialist spinner. He emphasized that the spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan exposed Pakistan’s poor decision-making, claiming seven wickets between them to bowl out the hosts for a paltry 146 in the second innings.

“Firstly, there was a mistake in team selection. You were without a spinner,” Raja said on his YouTube channel. He also criticized the declining effectiveness of Pakistan's fast bowlers, saying, “The reputation based on which we rely on our fast bowlers is finished. This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions and then the secret was out to the world that the only way to counter this line-up was to attack.”

Raja did not hold back in his assessment of Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, pointing out his poor batting and leadership during the match. “Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions, things are tougher, but you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well,” Raja said.

He further warned Masood that his place in the team could be at risk if his batting numbers do not improve. “He needs to work on his batting. It’s not like he is a great captain and so if he keeps getting out ducks, he would still have his place in the side,” Raja added.

The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to begin on August 30 in Rawalpindi, with Pakistan under immense pressure to avoid a series defeat at home.