England took Bazball philosophy to its peak as they beat Pakistan in the series-opening Test match in Rawalpindi. Skipper Ben Stokes played aggressive cricket by declaring on the fourth day, backing themselves to get all ten Pakistan wickets and they did it under the fading lights. Now, England’s win has surely helped India’s chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final which is to be played in June 2023 in England.
Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has slammed PCB chief Ramiz Raja and skipper Babar Azam for the bad performance by the team in the first Test match against England and said that the management will make excuses.
“Abhi hamari management ake baat karegi, Babar Azam baat karenge, PCB k head baat karenge ‘acchi cricket kheli England ne, hume unse seekhna chaie. Toh seekho na. Kab seekhoge? Time Guzar jayega. (Now our management will talk, Babar Azam and PCB chief will say ‘England played well, we should learn from them’. Then learn, when will you? It’s already too late),” Kaneria said on his YouTube Channel.
‘Babar Azam should learn from Ben Stokes’ captaincy’- Danish Kaneria
Kaneria criticized the Pakistani fast bowlers who were unable to extract reverse swing like the English bowler did and said the management will now blame Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence. “They might blame Shaheen Afridi’s absence for the loss. If he’s not available, then dusre achar bechne aaye thhe? (Others came to sell pickles?) Where are the planning and strategy, where is the reverse swing?” he said.
The 41-year-old said that Babar should learn from Stokes’ captaincy and also said that England don’t fear loss but Pakistan does. “We only talk about the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. Pura din wahi manjan chal raha hota hai (the same discussion continues the entire day). Pakistan were clueless. Babar Azam should learn from Ben Stokes’ captaincy. Coaches around the world should also learn from Brendon McCullum. Their team doesn’t fear loss, but ours does.
“Our management fears losses. They only say that the team has been doing good. We are the No. 1 team. How can the Asia Cup happen without us? etc., but we don’t check where our cricket is heading. We made the wicket which was called dead rubber in Rawalpindi,” he added.
