Faisal Iqbal Criticizes Babar Azam and Pakistan Batters Following Sylhet Collapse

A Troubling Trend for Pakistan Cricket

The Pakistan national cricket team finds itself in the eye of a storm once again. Following a disappointing series opener in Dhaka, where the team suffered a 104-run defeat, expectations were high for a turnaround in the second and final Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. While the bowlers initially delivered, the batting lineup has faltered, prompting former Test cricketer Faisal Iqbal to voice his sharp criticism regarding the team’s mental approach to the longest format of the game.

The Sylhet Struggle: A Familiar Narrative

The match began with promise for the visitors. Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field under overcast conditions that favored Pakistan’s pace attack. The team capitalized on these conditions, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 106/4, and later 117/6. However, the inability to close out the innings allowed Litton Das to stage a brilliant counter-attack. Das struck a fighting 126 off 159 balls, propelling Bangladesh to a respectable total of 278. The Pakistani bowling unit, spearheaded by Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas, fought hard, claiming 4/81 and 3/45 respectively, but the damage had been done.

When it was Pakistan’s turn to bat, the narrative shifted from bowling dominance to batting fragility. Although the team finished the opening day at 21/0, the second day proved disastrous. The Bangladesh bowling attack, led by the disciplined efforts of Taijul Islam and Nahid Rana, dismantled the top and middle order. Despite a valiant 68-run effort from Babar Azam, he found little support from the other end. Ultimately, Pakistan was bundled out for just 232, handing Bangladesh a crucial 46-run lead.

Faisal Iqbal Questions the Mentality of Senior Stars

The underwhelming performance drew an immediate and harsh reaction from Faisal Iqbal. The former cricketer took to social media to express his frustrations, focusing specifically on the lack of temperament shown by the team’s most experienced campaigners.

Iqbal’s critique was pointed and uncompromising. He questioned the legacy and utility of the senior players who have represented the country for years, only to crumble when the team requires a stabilizing presence. His remarks were particularly centered on Babar Azam, a player once considered the backbone of the batting lineup but who has struggled for consistency in red-ball cricket recently.

“Where has our test cricket gone now?” Iqbal posted. “Seniors have played so much cricket and are useless in pressure situations, throwing away their wickets. Unfortunately, Babar’s struggle is too long; NO temperament at all. He doesn’t have any capability to save the team in tough situations.”

The Road Ahead: A Crisis of Confidence

The criticisms leveled by Iqbal highlight a broader, more systemic concern regarding Pakistan’s Test cricket identity. The inability to anchor an innings or build meaningful partnerships in critical moments has become a recurring theme. The team’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective technical application has left supporters and pundits alike searching for answers.

As the match progressed into the third day, the pressure remained firmly on the visitors. Bangladesh continued to apply the squeeze in their second innings. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy played a composed half-century, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto maintained a steady hand. With Bangladesh resuming Day 3 at 110/3, holding a significant lead of 156 runs, Pakistan is faced with the difficult task of mounting a defensive comeback.

The events in Sylhet serve as a stark reminder that talent alone is insufficient at the Test level. Without the necessary temperament to navigate high-pressure phases, even the most gifted players risk becoming spectators to their own downfall. For the Pakistan team, the upcoming sessions will be about more than just result-oriented cricket; they will be a test of character, resilience, and the ability to silence the mounting criticism from those who expect more from the national side.