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Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has opined that the nation's cricket team has experienced a shocking downfall because everything is being taken for granted. He added that Pakistan need a strong head coach like India's Gautam Gambhir, who is on the face straight away.
The Pakistan cricket team has received severe backlash following their 2-0 Test series loss to Bangladesh at home. Before the two Tests, which were played in Rawalpindi, Pakistan had never lost a Test to Bangladesh.
Speaking to Republic TV, Kaneria slammed the Pakistan cricket team as well as the cricket board, questioning the functioning of both (as quoted by TOI):
“Everything is taken for granted; that's why the downfall of Pakistan cricket has gone through making captains, changing captain. That will not work. Stick to your captain, stick with him.
"Okay, I have made him the captain for one year. I will ask him. I will ask him to give me an answer after one year. Nobody will touch him you have full support from me, but you need to perform. If you don't perform, you go out, so that's the thing you have to make tough decisions. Why, if you don't make tough decisions, things will not work," the former Pakistan leg-spinner added.
Giving the example of the Indian cricket team, Kaneria claimed that they are doing well because of guys like Rahul Dravid (former head coach) and Gambhir (current head coach). Sharing his thoughts on India's support staff, Kaneria added:
"Why today other teams are doing so well? Why is the Indian team is doing so well? They had Rahul Dravid who worked with the team very well now they have Gautam Gambhir, a fantastic cricketer and fantastic guy. The way he reacts, he tells on the face. He doesn't go back and do backbiting; he's on the face straight away. This is how you have to be.
"You have to be strong, and like a strong person, you have to make the decision on the face, not at the back,” Kaneria concluded.
Dravid was the coach when India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. His stint ended after the tournament, with Gambhir taking over from the Indian legend.
How Pakistan lost the Test series to Bangladesh
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the first Test in Rawalpindi. After posting 565 in response to Pakistan's 448-6 declared, Bangladesh knocked over the hosts for 146 in their second innings, putting themselves on course for a historic triumph.
In the second match played at the same venue, Pakistan reduced Bangladesh to 26-6 after being bowled out for 274. However, they allowed Bangladesh to recover and post 262. The hosts were then bowled out for 172 in their second essay as Bangladesh went on to win by six wickets to sweep the series.
