In a shocking revelation, former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria has accused the national cricket team of prioritizing personal connections and friendships over performance when selecting the squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Kaneria’s comments come as a critique of the team’s performance in the tournament, raising questions about the integrity of the selection process.
The Pakistan cricket team started its World Cup 2023 campaign with two consecutive victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, raising hopes among fans.
However, their fortunes took a sharp turn as they suffered three consecutive defeats against cricketing powerhouses India, Australia, and Afghanistan, leaving their qualification chances hanging by a thread.
During a conversation, Danish Kaneria voiced his concerns about the team’s composition. He stated, “When the squad was announced, I was sure that this wasn’t a well-balanced team. The selections were based on friendships and personal relationships. I knew that this team would struggle in the World Cup. They talk about everything but strategy. They needed to understand that the conditions in India will favor batting and spin. The selection was totally wrong.”
Kaneria did not stop there and went on to allege that certain players in the squad, including Hasan Ali, owe their spots solely to personal connections.
He also questioned the selection of Usama Mir and Mushtaq Ahmed, suggesting that these decisions were made to benefit individuals rather than the country.
“In Naseem Shah’s absence, Pakistan are giving the new ball to Hasan Ali. Hasan Ali is only in the team because of friendships. Usama Mir plays for Multan Sultans, and Mushtaq Ahmed has good relations with Inzamam-ul-Haq. When a team is made for people’s individual benefits and not for the country, you will only get such results,” Kaneria declared, casting doubt on the motives behind the squad’s composition.
Hasan Ali, who stepped in after Naseem Shah’s unfortunate injury, has played eight matches in the World Cup 2023. As Pakistan faces an uphill battle to secure a place in the knockout stages, Kaneria’s explosive revelation adds a layer of controversy to the team’s already tumultuous journey.
The cricketing world now waits to see how Pakistan responds to these allegations and whether they can turn their World Cup fortunes around. Their next crucial match against South Africa on October 27 in Chennai will be a true test of their mettle and could determine their fate in the tournament.