Danish Kaneria has openly criticized Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan for their inadequate performances in the ICC Champions Trophy, contributing to Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament. He highlights Babar’s lack of scoring against top teams and calls for a change in leadership dynamics within the team. Kaneria advocates for a performance-based selection process to elevate the standard of the team.
Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has criticized Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan for their subpar performances in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. Both batters delivered disappointing scores, with Babar accumulating only 87 runs in two matches and Rizwan scoring 49. Kaneria specifically highlighted Babar’s slow innings against New Zealand, where he made 64 off 90 balls in a chase for 321, and Rizwan’s 46 off 77 against India, which ultimately led to Pakistan’s exit from the tournament.
Kaneria expressed frustration, stating, “Babar has not scored runs for so long. But when he scores, it is against Zimbabwe or against smaller teams. If he scores against big teams, there is no intent at all.” He emphasized the lack of depth in the team’s batting lineup, noting that contributing players like Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah are inconsistent. Kaneria mentioned Rizwan’s recent struggles, with his scoring rate dropping below his typical performance, which negatively impacts Pakistan cricket.
Kaneria commented on Rizwan’s captaincy, advocating for continuity in leadership despite his current form. He argued that frequent changes in captaincy demonstrate a lack of confidence in the players. Kaneria critiqued the Pakistan Cricket Board for favoring captains who don’t question decisions and suggested that emerging players like Saud Shakeel shouldn’t be burdened with the captaincy too soon.
Kaneria proposed that if Rizwan steps down, veteran Fakhar Zaman should be considered for captaincy due to his fearless nature and potential to influence the team positively. He also mentioned the need for a systemic overhaul within player selection, advocating for more stringent evaluation metrics over personal relationships or PR connections. He argued that strict guidelines should be enacted to ensure player performance meets team goals, rejecting a culture of complacency.
Danish Kaneria’s critique of Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan highlights significant concerns regarding their performances in the ICC Champions Trophy. He calls for a stronger, more decisive approach from the Pakistan Cricket Board and emphasizes the importance of merit over connections in player selection. The need for effective leadership and a change in team dynamics is also underscored to ensure future success for Pakistan cricket.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
