“Even a mohalla team is better than them” – Danish Kaneria reacts to Pakistan’s 0-2 series loss to Bangladesh
Former Pakistan captain Danish Kaneria has slammed the national team for their recent series loss to Bangladesh at home. The former off-spinner said that the level of the Pakistan team has gone down below that of a ‘Mohalla’ (community, village or town) cricket side.
Kaneria’s reaction came as Shad Masood and Co. lost the two-match Test series 0-2, their first-ever Test and series defeat against Bangladesh.
Kaneria told IANS (via the Times of India):
“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 further took the example of Team India, which thrashed Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test. He said:
“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.”
“Currently, there is no captain material in the Pakistan team” – Danish Kaneria
Danish Kaneria further slammed Shan Masood and Babar Azam for their failure to win even one out of their last 10 Tests at home. The 43-year-old also questioned their credentials with the bat in the red-ball format. On this, he said:
“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. Can't they have scored one century against Bangladesh in their home conditions?"
Apart from the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the Shan Masood-led side lost the three-match home Test series in Australia. Masood, however, has been retained as skipper for the upcoming three-match home Test series against England, which will be played in October.
Earlier, Babar Azam and Co. lost a three-match home Test series 0-1 against Australia, while the two-match home Test series against New Zealand ended in a 0-0 draw.