Younis Khan calls for "mental strengthening" of Pakistan players

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has insisted on the need for "mental strengthening" of Pakistan's batters after the side's shocking defeat to Bangladesh in the Test series. Bangladesh recently defeated Pakistan in the two-match Test series 2-0.

Pakistani batters had a tough outing in the second Test match at Rawalpindi where Bangladesh's bowlers were all over them.

In the first innings, Pakistan were in a great position at 107-1 at one stage with Shan Masood and Saim Ayub doing well.

But the fall of Masood's wicket proved to be the turning point as the Men in Green failed to form any significant partnership again.

As a result, they were bowled out for 274. In the second innings, the batters fared even poorly and got bowled out for just 172.

Also read: Pakistan sinks to historic low in ICC Test Rankings after embarrassing whitewash by Bangladesh

Younis Khan calls for "mental strengthening" of Pakistan batters

Several former cricketers and experts from Pakistan criticized the team's dismal performance and expressed their anger.

Younis Khan was one of them who lashed out at the batters for their below-par performance. Younis Khan reckoned that the batters need to be strong mentally as they have scored runs in the past.

“Our batters have got runs in the past but right now, I think they need mental strengthening and a clear mind to overcome this crisis,” Younis Khan was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Younis Khan is Pakistan's highest run-getter in Test cricket with 10099 runs in 118 Tests at an average of 52.12 with 34 hundreds to his name.

Lackluster performance by Pakistan batters

While three Pakistan batters scored fifties in the first innings, none of them could go past the 60-run mark.

The batters failed to convert their scores into big ones which resulted in them scoring a below-par first innings score.

In the second innings, the performance was even worse as none of the Pakistan batters scored a fifty, leaving Bangladesh with a chasable target of 185 runs.

The visiting quicks made full use of the seaming conditions and dismantled Pakistan's batting line-up.

Bangladesh batters show aggression

Bangladesh's batters showed tremendous positivity in their run-chase and kept on scoring runs at a good rate which put Pakistan's bowlers under pressure. Opener Zakir Hasan gave his team a flying start with a 39-ball 40.

While none of their batters went on to make a big one, brief contributions from all the top six batters were enough to see them through.

Fittingly, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim were the unbeaten batters at the crease. Litton Das was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning hundred in the first innings.

Pakistan will have a big challenge now as they host England in the three-match Test series. The series will begin on October 7 in Multan.

With the defeat to Bangladesh, Pakistan's chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final have taken a hit. They need to defeat England in the upcoming series to keep their hopes of qualifying for the WTC final alive.