What's happened
As Pakistan prepares for a crucial Test series against England, the team faces significant turmoil, having lost three of their last 17 Tests. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan navigates political unrest at home while contemplating his cricketing future amid murder charges linked to protests.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Ali Martin in The Guardian, Pakistan's interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, acknowledges the tight schedule but emphasizes the need for improvement, stating, 'We need to keep improving and make sure we do better for longer.' Meanwhile, Simon Burnton highlights the chaos within the Pakistan Cricket Board, noting that the team has had three chairmen and multiple coaches in recent years, which has led to instability. On the other hand, Amlan Chakraborty from The Independent reports on Shakib Al Hasan's precarious situation, emphasizing his desire to play despite the political turmoil in Bangladesh. Al Jazeera adds that Shakib faces murder charges, complicating his return home, which could impact his cricketing future significantly.
How we got here
Pakistan's cricket team is in disarray, having lost two consecutive home Tests to Bangladesh, marking a historic low. Concurrently, Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's star cricketer, is dealing with political turmoil and personal safety concerns amid allegations related to protests against the former government.
Common question
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What Challenges Are Pakistan and Bangladesh Facing in Cricket?
Cricket in Pakistan and Bangladesh is currently facing significant turmoil, with both teams grappling with internal and external pressures. As Pakistan prepares for a crucial Test series against England, they are dealing with a series of poor performances and a crisis in leadership. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's star player, Shakib Al Hasan, is caught in a web of political unrest that could impact his cricketing future. This situation raises several questions about the future of cricket in these nations.
More on these topics
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Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 162 million people.
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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Sheikh Hasina, also known by her married name Sheikh Hasina Wazed, is a Bangladeshi politician serving as the 10th Prime Minister of Bangladesh, having held the office since January 2009.
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Shakib Al Hasan is a Bangladeshi international cricketer.
Shakib is the holder of numerous national and international records and achievements. He is the highest wicket taker for Bangladesh in all international formats.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.