In the wake of Pakistan’s crushing defeat against England in the first Multan Test, opening batter Ahmed Shehzad has called on the national cricket team to draw inspiration from the Bollywood classic “Lagaan”. Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood, who has endured his sixth consecutive Test loss since taking over late last year, is now at the helm of a string of record-breaking defeats.
After an earlier humiliating series defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, Pakistan’s struggles continued as they were handed a punishing innings and 47-run loss by England. The defeat was particularly historic, as Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket history to lose after posting a first-innings total of over 550 runs.
Ahmed Shehzad, currently out of favor with selectors, took to his YouTube channel to voice his disappointment with the team’s performance. He criticized the lack of motivation and suggested the players should watch “Lagaan”, a film that tells the story of Indian villagers defeating an English cricket team to avoid paying oppressive taxes under British rule.
“For motivation, I suggest the Pakistan team should watch “Lagaan”,” Shehzad said. “The difference is that in the movie, they had to pay from their own pockets, but here, the Pakistan Cricket Board is responsible.”
Shehzad didn’t hold back in his critique of the team’s attitude and intensity during the game. He also called for changes in the lineup, advocating for the inclusion of young talents such as Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, players who have been performing well in domestic cricket but remain overlooked by the selectors.
“It was such a bad, scared performance from the Pakistan team,” Shehzad stated. “The attitude was not visible. You have been exposed. Changes need to be made. You have to give opportunities to youngsters like Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali.”
Pakistan’s ongoing slump has raised concerns as they haven’t secured a Test victory at home since February 2022. With the second Test match against England just around the corner, starting on Tuesday in Multan, the pressure is mounting on Shan Masood and his team to break the losing streak and find a way back to winning form.
Shehzad’s remarks reflect growing frustration within Pakistan’s cricket circles, as fans and former players alike seek answers to the team’s persistent underperformance. Whether “Lagaan” can inspire a turnaround remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Pakistan must dig deep to reclaim their once formidable status in international cricket.
