Pakistan has clean swept the Bangladesh cricket team in both T20 and test series with an appreciable performance. In the T20 series, we saw the best collective team performance especially by Hassan Ali who was in hot waters after Pakistan’s defeat in the T20 world cup 2021 semifinal against Australia. He came back with more energy and we witnessed his well-known ‘generator’ celebration move thoroughly.
In the two-matches based test series, Babar Azam kept doing wonderful knocks with his classical and perfect shots. And in the second test match, we saw a magical and unexpected bowling performance by ‘Sajid Khan’ who took 8 consecutive wickets in one innings, which means he was going to be the fourth bowler in the history of cricket having 10 wickets in an innings. But doing such a memorable spell in early matches of the career itself is more than a record and he was the only one who changed the result of the 2nd test match in favour of Pakistan by putting a spark in an ordinary test match on the Bangladeshi’s wickets.
Indeed after Imran Khan’s captaincy, the way Babar Azam is leading a team of youngsters is exceptional because the calmness with classic skills makes him a good captain to lead an unpredictable team. And not just Babar Azam, the management is also playing a key role in making the team environment mature and calm.
During training, the Pakistan men’s cricket team is in the habit of taking a flag or two out to the middle, something that coach Saqlain Mushtaq has brought into the culture.
It’s meant to act as a constant reminder of the pride of playing for their nation. “This team represents the entire country,” the coach said. “It reminds [the players] that 220 million people stand united.”
Their journey began when they made World Cup history by beating arch-rivals India for the first time in a men’s World Cup. The emphatic manner of that victory infused in the team a boost in morale and confidence that has carried them and they have grown in strength with every success.
I convey my best wishes and congratulations to team Pakistan and hope that they will bring the green caps on top of the list in each format.
Sajid Ali | Jhang
