Danish Kaneria and PCB. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
The Pakistan men’s cricket team not only faced unexpected elimination from the group stage of the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and the T20 World Cup in 2024, but their Test form also remains an area of apprehension as well. Their tour Down Under saw them getting mauled to a damaging whitewash in the three Tests they played. More misery was compounded over them when Bangladesh beat them on home soil by a comprehensive 0-2 margin just a few days ago.
Former Pakistan bowler, Danish Kaneria, recently expressed his perplexity on the state of affairs of Pakistan cricket. He crititized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for continuing to avoid the elephant in the room by conducting the same old One-Day Cup, that too after a crushing defeat at the hands of Bangladesh.
“What is Pakistan doing? They have organized a One-Day Cup, wow! You got insulted against Bangladesh, you can’t form a Test team, there are no new Test players, you have struggled on the longest format, and what did you do, conduct the same old One-Day tournament? If your mindset is to focus on One-Day cricket, you will be able to play only 50 overs in Test cricket. When you know that Test cricket is a problem, you should have done something about it,” expressed Kaneria in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
He compared the state of affairs in Pakistan to the status quo in India, suggesting that the PCB should have constructed a framework for the Pakistan team similar to the one enforced on Indian players by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“I don’t think the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken any steps or done any work for the improvement of Test cricket. Just look at India. Pakistan should learn from India. Four teams are playing in the Duleep Trophy. All the top first-class players are taking part in it. They are preparing for Test cricket and want to be ready for the longer format,” mentioned Kaneria.
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You will see that India will completely hammer Bangladesh: Kaneria
Further on in the clip, Kaneria made a bold prediction of India asserting themselves on Bangladesh and not giving the visitors a chance, contrary to what transpired in the Pakistan-Bangladesh series.
“Bangladesh came to Pakistan and whitewashed (ed) us. However, in the series against India, you will see that India will completely hammer them. They will not even let them come close. Bangladesh have good spinners, but the Indian batters have prepared well in the Duleep Trophy,” added Kaneria.
Meanwhile, most of the Indians performed considerably well in the first round of the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Without a doubt, India will be starting as favorites. However, Bangladesh is not a team that can be taken lightly and will be expected to put in a valiant effort in the two-match Test series, scheduled to commence on September 19, 2024.