Kane Williamson is the best captain in world cricket currently: Danish Kaneria [Interview]

Kaneria picked up 1373 wickets, combining first-class, List A, and T20 cricket.

Pakistan has produced a number of quality spinners over the years, including the likes of Abdul Qadir, Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Ajmal, and others. Though he can’t be deemed among the legends, Danish Kaneria’s exploits at the highest level can’t be undermined by any stretch of the imagination.

His limited-overs career for Pakistan could never flourish as he picked up only 15 wickets from 18 ODIs. However, in Test cricket, the leg-spinner showed his class, having picked up 261 scalps from 61 games. The now 40-year-old also picked up eight four-fers, 15 fifers and two ten-wicket hauls.

After 2004, Kaneria had his best period for Pakistan, bowling well against India, West Indies, Australia, and England. 2009 turned out to be a crucial year in Kaneria’s career after he and Mervyn Westfield were accused of underperforming in a 2009 Pro40 match against Durham.

In 2012, a disciplinary panel passed a verdict on Kaneria, pulling the curtains down on his career. Kaneria last donned the national jersey for Pakistan in a Test match against England in August 2010 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The tweaker also took 87 T20 wickets from 65 matches.

In the meantime, Kaneria took time out of his busy schedule and featured on CricTracker’s Question-and-Answer show ‘Free Hit’. During the interaction, he shared his opinions on Pakistan and Indian cricketers. He also opined on the upcoming T20 World Cup match between the arch-rivals.

Here are the excerpts from Danish Kaneria’s interview:

What’s your prediction regarding India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter?

Let the date come nearby.

Who is the best captain in world cricket currently?

Kane Williamson

Who’s your closest Pakistan teammate?

Younis Khan.

How would you describe Babar Azam in one word?

Very talented.

Virat Kohli is… Complete the sentence

Aggressive and doesn’t have the fear of losing.

What are the three words to describe Pakistan’s fielding?

Hope to get best, 50-50, need to improve a lot.

What’s the one dish you can’t live without?

Chinese Cuisine.

Who’s the Indian cricketer you like a lot?

Sourav Ganguly.

What’s a moment from an India-Pakistan encounter that you consider epic?

Mohali Test match in 2005.

What’s the best T20 league according to you?

IPL.

What’s the last dialled number from your mobile phone?

My wife.

Who’s the one bowler to watch out for in the future?

Jayden Seales and Mohammed Siraj.

What’s your favourite movie?

Rajneeti and Sarkar.

Who’s your inspiration?

Abdul Qadir.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate Misbah-ul-Haq’s coaching?

One and a half.