In the ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Pakistan’s batting lineup faced spectacular collapses in the first two matches.

In the first T20I match against the hosts, Pakistan were all out for just 110 runs. Apart from seasoned Fakhar Zaman, no other batter showed the resilience required to sustain the innings and prevent collapse. The batting lineup failed to build any valuable partnership to gain momentum.

Bangladesh easily chased the target in the 16th over after losing just three wickets.

In the second match, the situation was even worse. Pakistan’s top and middle order were found to be frightfully vulnerable. Bowlers did an excellent job to restrict the Bangladeshi side to just 133 runs, raising hopes for Pakistan to make a comeback in the series. However, five Pakistani batters returned to the pavilion while the total was just 15.

Apart from allrounder Faheem Ashraf, who played fighting knock of 51 and brought the team close to the victory margin, no other batsman could provide him the assistance he needed.

Bangladesh pacers showed exceptional performance and bowled on a tight line and length. They did not allow a single top or middle-order Pakistani batsman to reach double figure or build partnerships, eventually winning the game by 8 runs.

With this win, Bangladesh also clinched the three-match series by going up 2-0 – something they never achieved against Pakistan in the past.

The successive losses generated outrage among fans and experts who questioned team performance and blamed Pakistan’s team management for the team’s debilitating performance.

While Head Coach Mike Hesson is also facing the criticism, some experts maintain it is too early to write him off.

Pakistan’s current coaching and support staff is relatively new. The PCB confirmed their appointment on May 24 this year.

The current series is the first substantial team assignment for the newly appointed team management.

It is worth noting that Mike Hesson had a tremendous record with New Zealand’s national cricket team and other franchises, including PSL’s Islamabad United.

The fact should not the ignored that he has result-oriented, long-term plans to turn things around during his stay with the Pakistan cricket team.

The newly-appointed team management is in their “transitioning” and “experimenting” mode. Their decision to drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad shows their plans to experiment with new combinations and try modern game strategies with the youngsters.

While criticism is acceptable and should be taken seriously, it must not derail the much-needed “consistency” in the team management, which has been missing since the unceremonious ouster of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie last year.

The consistency in team management and support for their strategies to achieve targets would, in turn, bring consistency in the team’s performance as well.

Everyone should welcome the criticism wholeheartedly, and everyone has the right to pass critical, constructive comments. Having trust in the abilities of the coaching staff would eventually help build confidence in the players.

The recent losses have much to be reviewed; however, the strategies require a significant time to be proven right or wrong.