Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria compared the Pakistan Cricket Team with the 'mohalla team' and blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the downfall of cricket in their nation. PCB are currently facing much criticism after Pakistan lost the Test series against Bangladesh on their home soil. This was their first series defeat against Bangladesh in the history of red-ball cricket.
Kaneria slammed Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam for their flop show in the two-Test match series against Bangladesh.
“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,” Kaneria told IANS, highlighting the disconnect between the leadership and the performance on the field.
Danish Kaneria for Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Shan Masood
Danish Kaneria slammed PCB for appointing Babar Azam as Pakistan captain. He reckoned that Sarfaraz Ahmed's captaincy was good.
"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?"
ALSO READ: 'We should not get confused that...': Team India star's honest take on Border-Gavaskar Trophy selection after 1st Test vs Bangladesh
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli slips out of top 10 in ICC Test batter rankings, Rohit Sharma falls 5 places after dismal outings vs Bangladesh
Kaneria suggest PCB to learn from BCCI
After defeating Pakistan, Bangladesh travelled to India for the two Test match series where Rohit Sharma & Co. defeated them in the first Test match by 280 runs. Indian young batters Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant smashed centuries in the second innings after Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's stand in the first innings which helped India to take a lead in the 2 Test match series.
“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.
Kaneria also reckoned that wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant can lead India in Tests citing his comeback from injury.
“Rishabh Pant can lead India in Tests in the future. He has that caliber. He is performing very well after his injury comeback, and being a wicketkeeper, he keeps himself engaged with the bowlers and fielders always. Indian cricket is going great guns,” Kaneria said.
India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test match will be played at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
'Everyone wants to be like Hardik Pandya but they can't': GT star's sensational remark on MI captain ahead of IPL 2025 auction
