Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has voiced sharp criticism against the national cricket team and its management. This follows their underwhelming performance against India in the recent Asia Cup match, an encounter notably marked by Team India’s omission of the customary post-match handshake. Kaneria explicitly accused Pakistani officials of dodging accountability and shifting blame rather than addressing their own failings.
Speaking to IANS, Kaneria didn’t mince words: ‘Pakistan cricket is currently in a deplorable state. It’s a recurring pattern: whenever a problem arises, like the recent handshake controversy, instead of owning up, they resort to blaming others.’ He passionately urged Pakistan’s cricketing authorities to face accountability, questioning their decisions: ‘You were tasked with representing 22 crore people. What kind of team did you assemble? What coaching strategies were implemented? Where was the game plan, the strategic vision, and the execution?’
Kaneria openly admitted the significant performance disparity between the rival nations. ‘Pakistan isn’t playing up to expectations, whereas India is undeniably a top-tier team,’ he commented. ‘Based on their last match, it’s evident that Pakistan’s squad simply isn’t on par with the Indian team.’
The controversy intensified when PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds the presidency of the Asian Cricket Council, controversially demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup lineup. Naqvi claimed that Pycroft had allegedly instructed team captains against performing the traditional handshake at the toss.
‘The handshake incident created a huge uproar,’ Kaneria remarked with concern. He warned, ‘If Pakistan persists in this manner and fails to prioritize actual cricket, their trajectory will only lead to further decline.’
Kaneria stressed the urgent need for Pakistan cricket to undergo significant structural reforms and establish rigorous accountability mechanisms at the highest levels. He underlined that the team desperately requires a clear strategy, meticulous planning, and robust execution to effectively compete with the world’s elite cricketing nations.
With their crucial Super 4s match against India looming this Sunday, the team is under immense pressure. All eyes will be on how both the players and management respond to the intense criticism and strive to elevate their performance.
The reaction of the PCB leadership and team management to these pressing challenges will be pivotal in Pakistan’s quest to reclaim its competitive standing in international cricket. The upcoming Super 4s clash offers a prime opportunity for the team to showcase tangible improvement and quiet their detractors.