'One who offers gifts and keeps selectors happy gets into the team' - Danish Kaneria slams PCB following squad announcement for Sri Lanka Tests

Former Pakistani leg spinner Danish Kaneria has slammed the national selection committee  after thePakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declared an 18-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The veteran leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been named in the squad after being out of the national team setup for almost 10 months. Uncapped all-rounder Agha Salman has also been included in the squad after his impressive performances in the domestic circuit.

Yasir took 24 wickets at an average of 19.33 on Pakistan’s last tour to Sri Lanka in 2015 but the player has been struggling with injuries and fitness issues lately. Yasir replaced off-spinner Sajid Khan, who was part of their last Test series against Australia at home. Kaneria said that he does not understand on what basis the selection committee made changes and feels that Sajid should have been kept in the squad.

“I don’t understand on what basis the selectors have picked the team. Seems like the selectors will never improve and think about players while picking a team. I don’t know how Ramiz (Raja) approved this team. Some changes were needed after Australia defeated Pakistan in their own backyard. Off-spinner Sajid Khan played all Test matches against Australia but Pakistan didn’t give chance to Yasir Shah, who would have gotten exposed against the Aussie batters. Sajid has been unfairly treated,” Danish Kaneria said in his latest YouTube video.

The current selection committee is doing favors: Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was another surprise inclusion in the selected squad. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper batter has scored 2657 runs in 49 Test matches at an average of 36.39, but last played red-ball cricket in January 2019. Mohammad Rizwan is most likely to play both the Test matches against Sri Lanka and Kaneria feels that the selection committee should have given chance to a young player ahead of Sarfaraz.

“Sarfaraz has also been included in the Test set-up. He won’t be getting into the eleven because of Mohammad Rizwan. Instead of Sarfaraz, a young player could have been a part of the side,” Kaneria added.

“Pakistan need to make a team for the future but seems like the current selection committee is doing favors. One who offers gifts and keeps selectors happy gets into the team. Hardworking and honest players are being treated unfairly,” he concluded.