New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has issued a pointed critique of the national team’s management following Pakistan’s 2-1 ODI series loss to Bangladesh, expressing concern over the alarming decline in the team's standards.

The final ODI, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, resulted in an 11-run defeat for Pakistan, thus securing the series for Bangladesh. This loss occurred under the captaincy of Shaheen Shah Afridi and with Mike Hesson as the head coach.

In response to the disappointing outcome, Shehzad criticized the management for failing to address significant issues, particularly after Pakistan’s lackluster performance at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

“Following the dismal T20 World Cup, no changes were made. You introduced young players without a solid plan. After losing the series, you make excuses regarding the presence of youngsters in the squad. If you don't acknowledge your faults, progress in life will remain elusive,” Shehzad stated in his YouTube commentary.

Pakistan entered this series missing key players Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, though the reasons behind their absence remain ambiguous. While Afridi and Hesson suggested they were rested, chief selector Aaqib Javed later revealed that both players were nursing injuries from the recent T20 World Cup.

Shehzad also scrutinized Pakistan’s strategic decisions during the final match, especially Afridi’s choice to bowl first after winning the toss. He remarked, “Winning the toss gave you an opportunity to bat on a good pitch. You should have set a target and bowled under lights. What do you expect from the younger players when the seniors make such decisions?”

Bangladesh’s victory was bolstered by a solid century from Tanzid Hasan, who scored 107 runs off 107 balls, helping the hosts to a total of 290 for five. Pakistan’s innings was led by Salman Ali Agha, who notched a determined 106 runs, but ultimately, the team was all out for 279. Taskin Ahmed played a crucial role in the bowling department, taking four wickets to secure the win for Bangladesh.

This series defeat comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disappointing exit at the T20 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the Super 8 stage, marking the fourth consecutive ICC tournament in which the team has failed to reach the semi-finals.

Shehzad dismissed management's attempts to downplay the criticism regarding the team’s recent performances, asserting, “You claim victories over Australia and South Africa, but they did not field their strongest teams. If you truly wanted to reform Pakistan cricket, it would have been accomplished by now.”

In one of his most striking comments, Shehzad cautioned that Pakistan’s standing in international cricket is swiftly diminishing.

“You are on the verge of becoming an associate team. People are starting to perceive Pakistan in the same light as Zimbabwe. Then you wonder why we failed to advance in the World Cup due to run rate. Have some integrity,” he concluded.