'Pakistan More Focused on Geopolitics, Less on Cricket': Ex-Spinner Accuses PCB of 'Downgrading' Team's Morale

The unrest in Pakistan Cricket amid the ODI World Cup 2023 is getting worse every day. Rumours of a rift within the team and allegations from former cricketers have already led to unending controversies. And now, the leaked messages of Babar Azam followed by Inzamam-ul-Haq’s resignation from the post of chief selector have further complicated the situation.

The cricket fraternity of Pakistan has also expressed their disappointment over the ongoing ruckus with a few demanding a complete changeover in the country’s cricketing set-up. Former spinner Danish Kaneria has once again taken potshots at the PCB, accusing the top brass of the board of focusing less on cricket and more on geopolitics.

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Taking to micro-blogging X on Tuesday, Kaneria highlighted the rise of Afghanistan and said the management is working hard on the betterment of cricket and paying the least heed to politics. However, it’s the opposite in Pakistan’s case.

“While Team Afghanistan is focusing more on cricket and less on politics, Team Pakistan is focused less on cricket and more on geopolitics,” Kaneria wrote.

The former Pakistan cricketer further pointed fingers at PCB’s policies, stating that they have negatively affected the nation’s cricketing structure. Kaneria also demanded wholesale changes in the management.

“@TheRealPCB is downgrading the morale of its cricketers by constantly issuing removal warnings to the captain in case of poor performance.

“This is happening when team selection is already in question. Babar Azam’s private chats have been leaked and Inzamam-ul-haq has stepped down as chief selector after his alleged involvement in player management company.

“Pakistan team is going through a worse phase. It’s time for some major changes in PCB as well as the team,” Kaneria added.

A few days ago, Kaneria revealed that he faced discrimination in the team as a few players including Shahid Afridi forced him to convert to Islam. He also mentioned that the likes of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar had his back.

“My career was going really well. I am the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Tests. My career was on the right path, I was playing County cricket as well. Inzamam-ul-Haq supported me, he was the only person who supported me as captain, apart from Shoaib Akhtar also supported me,” Kaneria had told Aaj Tak.

“Shahid Afridi and the other players troubled me a lot, they never used to eat food with me. They used to talk with me about the conversion but my religion is everything to me. Shahid Afridi was the main guy who tried forcing me to convert to Islam, but Inzamam-ul-Haq was the only person who supported me,” he added.