‘Pakistan cricket is in a pathetic state right now’: Danish Kaneria blasts Pak team ahead of Asia Cup clash

New Delhi: Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has strongly criticised the national team following their lacklustre performance against India in the Asia Cup. He accused both the players and team management of shifting blame rather than owning up to their shortcomings.

Kaneria’s remarks came after Team India deliberately skipped the traditional post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts.

"Pakistan cricket is in a pathetic state right now. This always happens: when there is an issue (handshake snub), instead of taking responsibility, they keep blaming others,” Kaneria told IANS.

“The selectors were entrusted with the responsibility of 22 crore people. What team did you select? What coaching assignments did you give? What was your game plan, strategy, and approach?"

Kaneria admitted that the gap between the two sides was clearly visible. “Pakistan is not playing well as expected, while India is a top-tier team. Judging by their performance in the last game, it is clear that Pakistan’s team is not better than the Indian team," the former leg-spinner observed.

A day after the no-handshake row, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the current president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup roster, alleging that Pycroft had "requested the captains not to shake hands at the toss" as is customary.

Kaneria also criticised the controversies surrounding the side, particularly the much-talked-about handshake incident after the India clash. "The handshake incident caused a big commotion. If Pakistan continues like this and doesn’t focus on cricket, they will head further toward decline," he warned.

The former spinner stressed that Pakistan needs a clear strategy, proper planning, and strong execution if they wish to compete with the best. Without structural changes and accountability at the top, Kaneria fears Pakistan cricket could slide further.

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match

India and Pakistan are set to meet in their first Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday in Dubai, with the high-voltage contest once again drawing attention both on and off the field.

This is the second clash between these two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the consequent launching of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in May. India won the first clash one-sided, carrying out a comfortable chase of 128 runs with seven wickets in hand and spinner Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial hand with a 'Player of the Match' winning bowling spell of 3/18, which restricted Pakistan to 127/9.