Danish Kaneria slams PCB for excluding his Test records on Australian soil

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for omitting his name from the list of the country's leading wicket-takers in Australia. Kaneria, who has been vocal about his grievances with the PCB, has strained his relationship with them.

As per the list released by PCB, former left-arm seamer Wasim Akram has the lowest average for Pakistan in Australia. The list also features the prominent names of Imran Khan, Iqbal Qasim, Sarfraz Nawaz, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Mohammad Asif. On the other hand, Kaneria bagged 24 wickets in five Tests at an average of 40.58 in Australia. Notably, the ranking is based on the best bowling averages.

Despite Kaneria not being featured in the list of lowest bowling averages, he stands as the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Test cricket. The 43-year-old has picked 24 wickets in five Tests in Australia, boasting an average of 40.58 and an economy rate of 3.80.

“Just look at the audacity of Pakistan Cricket Board. I took 24 wickets in 5 matches in Australia but they removed my name from the list. The living example of sheer discrimination against me," the former leg-spinner wrote on X.

See Danish Kaneria's post:

Just look at the audacity of Pakistan Cricket Board. I took 24 wickets in 5 matches in Australia but they removed my name from the list. The living example of sheer discrimination against me. pic.twitter.com/HhkamhdFMc

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) December 23, 2023

Pakistan aim to win the second Test against Australia

Pakistan will aim to bounce back as they are gearing up to face Pat Cummins and Co. in the second Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. Under the leadership of Shan Masood, the team faced a setback with a 360-run defeat in the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Notably, Pakistan have endured a challenging 15-match losing streak against the Kangaroos in Australia, with their last victory dating back to 1995. Additionally, the visitors are grappling with injury setbacks as both fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and spinner Noman Ali have been ruled out of the series.

Pakistan Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed.