'He got into Pakistan's WC squad due to friendship with Babar': Ex-PAK player stirs big controversy

Hasan Ali, Pakistan's seamer has all the reasons to consider himself the luckiest cricketer of all time. The PCB's inability to groom players has reached to such an extent, that they always use Hasan Ali as a replacement to compensate for their injured players. Interestingly, for few years now, Ali hasn't been a regular member of Pakistan's side and his sudden inclusion in their World Cup squad has raised many eyebrows.

Few days back, former Pakistan player Mohammad Asif took a brutal dig at Babar Azam and the PCB. Asif has been extremely vocal about the fact that Hasan Ali's selection in Pakistan's World Cup squad is nothing but a classic case of lobbying. Asif also went to the extent of saying that Babar Azam and Hasan Ali are very close friends and hence the Pakistan skipper chose him above all the other talented players that the PCB has at its disposal. While speaking exclusively to Republic World, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria provided his insights on the entire matter, exposed the PCB and how it works.

'Selection of Hasan Ali is an example of his friendship with the captain'

"Absolutely, this is a problem with Pakistan cricket. To be very honest, Hasan Ali shouldn't have been a part of the World Cup squad. There were better players. Imad Wasim should've been picked. This selection of Hasan Ali is an example of his friendship with the captain. The PCB hasn't picked up a good team and I have my doubts that this team will make it to the knockouts. They selected people on the basis of friendships and their lobbies and their intentions are not pure. I am highly doubtful about this team doing well in the World Cup and I agree with Asif," Kaneria said.

Kaneria also said that the PCB does not know how to manage injuries and groom players for big events like the World Cup. The former Pakistan cricketer did not mince worlds and held the PCB solely responsible for Naseem Shah's injury.