"What happened to cricket in Pakistan?" Kevin Pietersen reacts as Pakistan lose first-ever test against Bangladesh

Kevin Pietersen reckons the standard of cricket in the Pakistan team has fallen off drastically in recent years.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen is one of the numerous pundits who have been left shocked with the result in the 1st PAK vs BAN test match in Rawalpindi.

At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium this Sunday, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team created history by registering Bangladesh’s first-ever test match win over Pakistan. That they did it in Pakistan makes their feat even more incredible. Bangladesh had previously lost 12 out of 13 tests against Pakistan.

In their first innings, Pakistan declared at 448/6 as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit centuries. In reply, Bangladesh ended with a lead of 117 runs, courtesy of 191 from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, while three other batsmen scored fifties.

The game moved rapidly in the first session on day five when Pakistan lost five wickets. Eventually, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 and set Bangladesh a target of only 30 runs, which the openers chased down with ease.

Kevin Pietersen comments on the standard of cricket in Pakistan and players’ work ethic

The result on Sunday in Rawalpindi has been the talking point among cricket fans and experts. Legendary England batsman Kevin Pietersen too has expressed surprise at Pakistan’s defeat.

Pietersen, who played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Quetta Gladiators between 2016 and 2018, is stunned by the drop in the standard of cricket in Pakistan.

Pietersen tweeted, “What happened to cricket in Pakistan? When I played the PSL, the standard of that league was tremendous, the players had a very good work ethic and the youngsters on display were magic. What’s happening there?”

The second and last test match of the series will get underway on August 30, also in Rawalpindi.

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