India vs Pakistan: You Need To Be Diplomatic As A Coach - Danish Kaneria To Saqlain Mushtaq Over Comments On Shaheen Afridi's Absence

Former Pakistan spin bowler Danish Kaneria criticised Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq for his comments on Shaheen Afridi’s absence in Asia Cup 2022.

Shaheen is recovering from a knee injury sustained during the Sri Lanka Test series in July. The left-arm pacer will at least need four to six weeks to recover from the injury and is currently being monitored by the PCB medical staff.

Losing Shaheen Afridi is a big setback for us before Asia Cup: Saqlain Mushtaq 

Shaheen will miss the continental Asia Cup followed by the seven-match T20I series against England starting in late September. The lanky pacer is expected to return for the tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh in October. 

During a press conference after the Netherlands ODI series, Mushtaq said replacing a quality player like Shaheen won’t be easy for them but showed faith in the other bowlers of the team. 

“Obviously, losing Shaheen is a big setback to us before the tournament and for the England series because he is someone who has proven himself at the top level and done well against the best batsmen,” Mushtaq said in a press conference. 

“It is never easy to replace a player like Shaheen because of his quality but the resources we have are good and we are backing them to deliver for us,” he added.  

You need to be diplomatic as a coach: Danish Kaneria

Kaneria, however, wasn’t pleased with the coach’s take on Afridi’s absence from the team. The former Pakistan spinners wanted the coach to have talked about the presence of other young bowlers in the team. 

“Everyone is aware that Shaheen Afridi’s absence is going to make a big difference. But as a coach, you need to be diplomatic during such situations. The whole team is dependent on the coach,” Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.

“It would have been better if he had said, ‘What if Shaheen Afridi isn’t there, we have matchwinners like Nassem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr,’ it’s all about giving confidence to youngsters,” he added.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain on Monday (August 22) was named replacement for Shaheen Afridi in the national squad for the Asia Cup. 

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: “Every Top-Order In The Competition Will Be Delighted Shaheen Afridi Isn’t There” – Scott Styris