IND vs NZ: "India Did The Right Thing By Not Putting His Career At Risk"- Danish Kaneria Hails Rohit Sharma For Resting Jasprit Bumrah For T20 World Cup 2022

In contrast to Pakistan, who compelled Shaheen Afridi to compete, Danish Kaneria thinks India made the right decision by not choosing an ailing Jasprit Bumrah for the recently finished T20 World Cup 2022. 

The former Pakistani spinner claimed, in a video posted to his YouTube account, that the PCB put Shaheen’s career at jeopardy by forcing him to play when he wasn’t fully healthy, while the BCCI prioritized Bumrah’s career. He believed that the pause will allow the Indian speedster to serve his nation for a longer length of time. 

Danish Kaneria Criticize Pakistan Board For Shaheen Afridi’s Treatment

Danish Kaneria criticised the Pakistani board for Shaheen’s harsh treatment. He emphasised that the Men in Green possessed a number of skilled fast bowlers who might have taken the left-place armer’s at the championship match and explained:

“Jasprit Bumrah was made to play the home series against Australia after recovering from a back injury. However, his injury resurfaced. He was rested for the T20 World Cup 2022, even though Rohit Sharma was aware that Bumrah’s absence was going to be a big setback for the team.  

“India did the right thing by not putting his career at risk. With this, they ensured that he could serve the team for a long period of time.” 

“Pakistan, on the other hand, sent an injured Shaheen Afridi to the Netherlands. He then traveled to the UAE and had to go to London for his rehabilitation later on. The PCB and Babar Azam forced him to play in the T20 World Cup despite injury concerns. 

“One should not do such an injustice to a player, and it is not fair when they play with someone’s career like this. I feel that it will take another three or four months for him to recover. Couldn’t they have relied on their other bowlers? He gave his heart out but you forced him to play matches after taking injections.” 

Shaheen participated in every game of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. However, the young player injured his knee while making a grab in the championship and hobbled off the field. 

Along with Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s veteran batter Fakhar Zaman struggled with his fitness throughout the match. The southpaw played in just one game before suffering a knee ailment that forced him to withdraw from the event. 

Babar Azam Did Not Want Fakhar Zaman To Play: Danish Kaneria

Danish Kaneria asserted that Pakistan disqualified Fakhar solely because captain Babar Azam refused to give up his starting position. He claimed that, in order to accommodate Fakhar, the captain would have had to bat at No. 3, which he had not intended to do. 

Danish Kaneria added: 

“Fakhar Zaman played just one match, and then they rested him, saying that he was injured. He has now suddenly regained his fitness after the T20 World Cup. 

“Babar would have had to move down the batting order if Fakhar was available. He did not want Fakhar to play. Babar played Shaheen despite injury concerns, but with Fakhar, he intentionally made him sit out.” 

The Babar Azam-led team lost to England by five wickets in the championship game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, placing them in second place overall in the ICC competition. 

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