“Good for Nothing”: Danish Kaneria Blasts Pakistan Cricket Following Dismal Series Defeat
Former Pakistan spin legend Danish Kaneria has launched a scathing critique of the country’s cricketing establishment, labelling the current state of the national team as “a shame after 70 years.” His comments follow Pakistan’s humiliating 0-2 Test series loss to England, a result that has triggered widespread outrage among fans and former players alike.
The series reached a nadir at Lord’s, where Pakistan succumbed to a 194-run defeat, surrendering the series with one match remaining. In a desperate attempt to curb the downward spiral, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) purged seven players from the squad and relieved head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul of their duties. However, Kaneria argues that these superficial personnel changes are merely “band-aid” solutions for deep-rooted systemic rot.
A Lack of Fighting Spirit
Speaking to news agency IANS, Kaneria expressed his profound disappointment, not just with the results, but with the manner of the defeats.
“It’s a shame that after 70 years, Pakistan has gone through such a disaster,” Kaneria stated. “They are just good for nothing. If a person loses, he tries and fights before losing. The fight has to be visible. Here, there’s no fight. No one knows anything.”
Kaneria highlighted that the current management cycle—frequently shuffling coaches and selectors without clear long-term goals—has robbed the team of the stability needed to compete at the highest level.
Bowling and Batting Woes
The former spinner was particularly critical of the team’s technical incompetence. He questioned the selection of inexperienced bowlers, specifically targeting Muhammad Shahzad, noting his lack of control, swing, and tactical awareness. He contrasted this with the exclusion of proven domestic performers like Mohammad Abbas and Noman Ali, who have demonstrated success in challenging conditions.
The batting lineup did not escape his ire, either. Kaneria questioned the current roles and techniques of star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, suggesting that their recent dismissals reveal a lack of mental fortitude and technical application.
Calling for Structural Reform
Kaneria believes that the issues currently plaguing the international side are merely symptoms of a broken domestic structure. He pointed to the dismantling of departmental cricket and an over-reliance on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as the primary culprits for the shrinking talent pool.
“The reason is that the talent pool has been eliminated,” Kaneria remarked, drawing a favorable comparison to the BCCI’s mandate that requires players to prioritize first-class cricket. “None of our boys play domestic. This downfall of Pakistan cricket started when the structure of domestic cricket changed.”
For Kaneria, the path forward requires a complete overhaul: a transparent, strong selection committee, a seasoned coaching staff with real authority, and, most importantly, a return to the gritty, competitive spirit that historically defined Pakistan cricket.
“We also used to lose,” Kaneria concluded. “But fight and lose. At least fight. There is no effort.”
