IRE vs PAK: Danish Kaneria claims Babar Azam's reappointment as captain will tear apart Team Pakistan

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria talked about the recent captaincy change in Pakistan Cricket. He believes that Babar Azam being reappointed as skipper of the team over Shaheen Afridi might create a rift in the team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. 

There are a lot of things going around in the Pakistan Cricket of late. After the ouster in the ICC World Cup 2023, they underwent massive changes in the captaincy as Babar Azam was removed as the skipper of the team with Shaheen Afridi being appointed as T20I skipper and Shan Masood was given as red-ball leader. 

However, after the T20I series against New Zealand, during which Pakistan faced a 4-1 thrashing under Shaheen Afridi. The fast bowler was removed after that and Babar Azam was reappointed as the captain of the team in the T20I format, replacing the fast bowler after just one series. 

Apart from the leadership saga, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim also took back their retirement and were included in the team. The duo played in the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand and have also been named in the T20 World Cup 2024. 

While talking about the leadership saga in Pakistan Cricket, Danish Kaneria lashed out at the PCB, saying that they are influenced by the outside noise and that favoritism plays a huge part in the decision-making. He also claimed that players are very confused and no one understands what is going on. Speaking to Sports Now, he explained: 

"You already know these issues with PCB (chuckles), you cant rely on them. Shaheen was already bestowed with leadership duties post the 2023 ODI World Cup. Why do you have to remove him so soon? This decision shows that the PCB is always troubled and influenced by the outside noise. 

"Favouritism also plays a huge part in the PCB's decision-making process. I cant wrap my head around the PCB's decision-making process. The players do not have any sort of clarity about their individual roles in the team. PCB operates like 'confused . com' and nobody understands what they are trying to do."

Babar Azam becoming the Pakistan captain shows that the PCB is going backwards - Danish Kaneria 

Danish Kaneria further stated that Pakistan's decision to appoint Babar Azam shows that PCB is going backward. He stated that it might create a rift in the team and management should be responsible for it. He added: 

"Babar Azam becoming the Pakistan captain shows that the PCB is going backwards which shouldn't be the case. This will create a rift in the team and the management is to be blamed for it. The management lacks vision."

Pakistan failed to win the T20I series against New Zealand, who fielded second string team. They drew the series and now will be playing against Ireland. They will also be playing against England, which will serve as a great preparation for them ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.