Image Credit- AFP
After Pakistan’s devastating Test series loss to Bangladesh, former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria spared no detail in his harsh criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan team. Bangladesh had defeated Pakistan in their first-ever Test series, and Kaneria was furious, even saying that “a mohalla team is better than them.”
Pakistan dominated the first Test in the two-match series, winning by a commanding 10-wicket margin. With six wickets remaining, Bangladesh, in an unexpected turnabout, managed to chase down 185 runs in the second Test, making it the third-highest successful run chase by a visiting side on Pakistani soil. Serious questions over the team’s future under Shan Masood’s supervision have been raised by the defeat.
Kaneria spoke candidly on the Pakistani team’s recent performance against Bangladesh in an interview with IANS.
“The level of the Pakistan cricket team is so low that even a mohalla team is better than them, and all this is because of the PCB. They are to be blamed for such a below-par show from the national side. The luxuries of the captain’s ‘kursi’ (chair) and the chairmanship at the PCB spoil minds,” he said, highlighting the disconnect between the leadership and the performance on the field.
Kaneria further drew attention to what he believed to be an incorrect choice made by the PCB in substituting Babar Azam for former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Sarfaraz had been playing well in all forms, having guided Pakistan to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. However, Kaneria feels that the current leadership is not able to withstand pressure.
“I don’t know why Babar Azam was given the leadership responsibility despite Sarfaraz Ahmed’s good captaincy. Currently, there is no captain material in the Pakistan team. A captain is someone who takes the pressure on his shoulders and carries the team forward with his performance, which both Babar and Shan Masood have failed to do,” Kaneria lamented.
“Can’t they have scored one century against Bangladesh in their home conditions?”
Kaneria also drew parallels between Pakistan and their fiercest rivals, India, highlighting the fact that Indian players have constantly filled in when called upon, resulting in a world-class squad.
“When you look at the current Indian team, everyone takes responsibility and performs when it is needed. Shubman (Gill), Rishabh (Pant), (Ravichandran) Ashwin — everyone contributes, and that is why they are a world-class team,” he added.