Pakistan Cricket has found itself under intense scrutiny due to the team’s lackluster performances on the international stage. Whether in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, the Men in Green are consistently falling short of expectations, drawing harsh criticism from all corners.
The recent debacle came when Pakistan suffered a humiliating Test series whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh at home under the captaincy of Shan Masood. This defeat was particularly stinging as the Bangla Tigers became only the second team to whitewash Pakistan in a home series comprising two or more Test matches. The first team to achieve this feat was England in a three-match series back in 2022.
Pakistan’s struggles are not confined to the longest format of the game. Their performance in limited-overs cricket has also been below par. They endured a shocking loss to the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024 and were defeated by Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 as well.
The spotlight has inevitably fallen on the players’ performances, with even the biggest names in the squad facing criticism. Babar Azam, once hailed as a prodigy, has particularly struggled in Test cricket, failing to score even a fifty in his last 16 innings. The consistent underperformance has fans and analysts alike worried about the team’s direction.
In an exclusive interview with India TV, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria did not mince his words when discussing the current state of Pakistan cricket. Kaneria expressed his fear that if such poor performances continue, cricket in Pakistan could be on a path to extinction. “Cricket will be dead in Pakistan if the players continue to dish out such poor performances,” Kaneria warned.
Kaneria was candid about the issues plaguing Pakistan cricket, and he pointed out that politics play a significant role in the selection process.
. “There is politics involved in the selection process, and it is the main cause behind Pakistan’s pathetic performance,” he stated. Kaneria further explained that talented cricketers like Fawad Alam and Abid Ali were sidelined after failing to perform in just a couple of series, while others, such as Babar Azam, have managed to remain in the playing XI despite their prolonged poor form.
The former leg-spinner didn’t shy away from naming other notable players like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, criticizing their reluctance to participate in domestic red-ball cricket. According to Kaneria, these players’ absence weakens the domestic circuit, suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrongly believes that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) alone can produce world-class talent. “The board feels that it can get players from the PSL. But the standard of PSL is not great. Only those foreign players play in the PSL who aren’t picked in any other leagues,” he lamented.
Drawing comparisons with other prestigious leagues, Kaneria highlighted the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a benchmark for high standards. In the IPL, international stars are compelled to perform consistently; otherwise, they risk not being picked in future auctions. Kaneria cited the example of Steve Smith, an Australian cricket legend who was not picked in an IPL auction due to his inconsistent performances.
The ongoing administrative and performance issues are creating an environment that is detrimental to the future of cricket in Pakistan. Danish Kaneria’s concerns resonate with a growing sentiment among fans and former players, all of whom want to see the team resurrect its former glory.
In conclusion, Pakistan cricket is grappling with an array of issues that range from inconsistent player performances to politically influenced selection processes. Danish Kaneria’s stark warning underscores the urgency for a significant overhaul if Pakistan aims to reclaim its stature in the cricketing world. For now, it remains to be seen whether the PCB and the players will heed these warnings and work towards a more prosperous future for Pakistan cricket.
