Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria said pacer Hasan Ali was included in Pakistan's squad for the 2023 World Cup because of friendships. Pakistan will face South Africa on October 27 at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has continued his criticism of the Men in the Green squad, talking about how many players are in the squad only because of their friendship with the right people. Pakistan has lost three out of five matches in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria made a bold remark after the poor performances of the Babar Azam-led team in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. He said that they did not pick the right team but took aim at Hasan Ali and said that he I was accepted into the team because of friendships.

Kaneria said that the selection of the Pakistan team for the World Cup was based on friendships and personal relationships. Pakistan have won just two of their first five matches at the 2023 World Cup.

“When the squad was announced, I was sure that this was not a balanced team. The selection was based on friendships and personal relationships. I knew this team would struggle at the World Cup. They talk about everything but strategy. They had to understand that the conditions in India favor batting and spinning. “The selection was completely wrong,” said Kaneria.

He further said that Hasan Ali is in the team only because of friendships and said the same about Usama Mir and Mushtaq Ahmed. Hasan Ali picked eight wickets in five matches for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup.

“In the absence of Naseem Shah, Pakistan hands over the new ball to Hasan Ali. Hasan Ali is in the team only because of friendships. Usama Mir plays for Multan Sultans and Mushtaq Ahmed has good relations with Inzamam-ul-Haq. When a team is formed for the individual benefit of the people and not the country, only such results will be achieved,” Kaneria added.

Why they didn't choose Imad Wasim - the Danish Kaneria - because of Pakistan's use of spinners

Pakistan didn't have a great performance against Australia either. They lost the game by 62 runs. Danish Kaneria was amazed at the way they took advantage of Usama Mir and dropped Shadab Khan. He also expressed concerns over the non-selection of Imad Wasim. He explained:

“When did two star players play together for Pakistan? When they played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the boundary is very short, Shadab Khan was dropped and Usama Mir was brought in. And why they didn’t choose Imad Wasim.”

Pakistan will next be seen in action when they take on South Africa on Friday (October 27). A defeat here would also destroy their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.