Dubai, Feb 24 (NationPress) The reigning champions and hosts, Pakistan, are on the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy after suffering a six-wicket defeat to India. Former spinner Danish Kaneria has advised the PCB to implement a stringent approach, similar to what India adopted following their loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, to achieve the desired results.

Pakistan faced a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi and followed it up with another loss to their arch-rivals, India. They currently have no points on the scoreboard with only one match remaining, leaving them with a mere glimmer of hope to advance to the semifinals, reliant entirely on other outcomes.

In the aftermath of the defeat against India, Kaneria emphasized that the PCB should instruct players to eliminate distractions and concentrate on enhancing their performance.

"I sincerely hope the PCB avoids repeating the blunder that occurred in Lahore when India's national anthem was mistakenly played during the Australia vs England match," Kaneria remarked in an interview with IANS.

"The PCB's responsibility is to enforce strict measures to ensure players concentrate on improving their game."

"They ought to set a one-year deadline for the selectors, coach, and captain, stating, 'We demand results.' If they fail to deliver within a year, they should resign voluntarily. A firmer approach is essential—camaraderie won’t suffice."

"They are nearly out of the tournament now, so their focus should shift to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly. It would be fascinating to see Pakistan hosting the tournament while the final features India and New Zealand clashing in Dubai," Kaneria added.

He further indicated that Pakistan is in need of a fast-bowling all-rounder akin to Hardik Pandya and proficient left-arm spinners. The way Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Salman Agha with a crafty googly underscores the significance of such spinners.

"Pakistan requires two robust all-rounders: one being a fast-bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, and they also need effective left-arm spinners. The manner in which Kuldeep Yadav outsmarted Salman Agha with a googly he couldn't even recognize emphasizes the necessity for skilled spinners," he elaborated.

The former cricketer urged the PCB to communicate directly with Mohammad Rizwan regarding his future as captain and clarify the duration of his tenure in that role.

"The PCB must be decisive to attain the desired outcomes. After the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India implemented strict protocols, and the players responded positively. Similarly, the PCB needs to refine their strategies and the selection committee's approach. They ought to be candid with Rizwan about his captaincy—how long will he remain in that position? They also need to clearly define Babar Azam's role and communicate it effectively to him," he stated.

He continued, "One crucial task for the team, if feasible, is to address whether Rizwan is uncomfortable in the captaincy role and if it is impacting his performance. If that’s the case, Fakhar Zaman should be considered as a potential successor. There are numerous actions the PCB must undertake to improve the Pakistan cricket team."

Pakistan will be closely monitoring the match on Monday, hoping for a Bangladesh victory over New Zealand to keep Group A competitive for a few more days. Otherwise, it will be New Zealand joining India in the semi-finals.

In closing, Kaneria highlighted the community support for the hosts, remarking, "If there’s a Champions Trophy match in Pakistan and the team is out of the tournament, why would fans spend their money to attend?"

"The stadium was already struggling with attendance, and now that Pakistan is out, spectators might prefer to watch from home instead of attending the match."

The Champions Trophy hosts will return to their homeland from Dubai, gearing up for Thursday’s match against Bangladesh.