Shoaib Akhtar Spoke Truth; Will Expose Those Who Mistreated Me: Danish Kaneria

In a startling revelation, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar revealed during a chat show that former spinner Kaneria was treated unfairly by his Pakistani teammates because he was a Hindu

Shoaib Akhtar Spoke Truth; Will Expose Those Who Mistreated Me: Danish Kaneria/ Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: Supporting Shoaib Akhtar’s claims of discrimination against him, former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said that he will soon reveal the name of players who 'mistreated' him during his playing days. In a startling revelation, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar revealed during a chat show that former spinner Kaneria was treated unfairly by his Pakistani teammates because he was a Hindu. “Shoaib has been a legend of the game. His words are also as blunt as his bowling. When I was playing I did not have the courage to speak on these matters but after Shoaib bhai’s comments, I do. He has always supported me and also Inzy bhai (Inzaman-ul-Haq), Mohammad Yusuf and Younis bhai (Younish bhai),” Kaneria told PTI over phone from Karachi. “Those who did not support me, I will make their names public soon. Having said that, I feel fortunate and honoured that I got to play for Pakistan,” added Kaneria. Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan after his maternal uncle Anil Dalpat, took 261 wickets in 61 Tests at an average of 34.79. He also played 18 ODIs.

Whatever @shoaib100mph said in his interview is true. But at the same time, i am thankful to all great players who supported me wholeheartedly as a cricketer. I personally request all not to politicise the issue. Here is my statement: pic.twitter.com/8vN3Kilm4W

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria_) December 26, 2019

Kaneria was ousted from the team after he was found spot-fixing in 2009 while playing for Essex. At the one-day match, he had convinced Mervyn Westfield to give away 12 runs to him. Westfield was eventually imprisoned and banned for five years by the England Cricket Board. “In my career I fought with two three (in the team) when they started talking on regionalism. Things like ‘who is from Karachi, Punjab or Peshawar’, that used to infuriate. So what if someone is a Hindu, he is doing well for the team,” Akhtar had said.

Hindus even at good position like national cricket team are treated badly in Pakistan then think about the poor ones.

Respect for @shoaib100mph for exposing Pakistan's Hindu hatred pic.twitter.com/IPUTngA0yO — Amit Kumar Sindhi 🇮🇳 (@AMIT_GUJJU) December 26, 2019

“They used to say ‘sir ye yaaha se khaana kaise le raha hain’ (how is he taking food from this place)?” said the 44-year-old. “The same Hindu won the Test for us against England. If he is taking a bagful of wickets for Pakistan, he should play. We could not have won the series without Kaneria’s effort. But not many gave him credit for that,” added Akhtar. (With Agency Inputs)