“Captain would raise eyebrows about him eating with us,” Shoaib Akhtar reveals treatment given to Danish Kaneria

“Shoaib Akhtar has always been very blunt. I did not have the courage to speak about it but Shoaib Bhai spoke about,” Danish said

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar made a hideous revelation during a chat show. While discussing Shoaib Akthar said that Danish Kaneria spinner of Pakistan was treated unfairly by his Pakistani teammates because of his religion as he was a Hindu.

In Pakistan, Anil Dalpat was the first Hindu player followed by Danish Kaneria who was the second Hindu player to represent Pakistan in international cricket. Anil Dalpat, incidentally, Kaneria’s uncle, was a wicketkeeper who played in the 1980s. Kaneria, who played for Pakistan between 2000 and 2010, is only the second Hindu player to play for Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar also claimed that Kaneria’s Pakistani teammate even barred him from picking up food from the same table as others because of his faith.

While talking to a PTV’s show titled ‘Game on Hai’ Shoaib Akhtar revealed, “Captain would raise eyebrows about him eating with us or taking the food from the same table. I told him that you could be the captain but your conduct is despicable. This guy (Kaneria) is chalking up so many wickets to win matches for us and you’re treating him like this”.

@shoaib100mph telling us why CAA and NRC are important for minorities from Pakistan and Bangladesh Hindus are not only killed and converted and humiliated #DanishKaneria was a world class player #shoaibakhtar pic.twitter.com/FrRTsXvwG4

— विजय वीर पवांर (@vijaygujjar) December 27, 2019

Shoaib Akhtar further added Danish Kaneria never got any credit for his exceptional performances and that was “totally uncalled” for. “No one was giving Danish any credit for his exceptional performance. That was totally uncalled for. He won us the Test series against England (in 2005). He snared all the top-order batsmen,” Akhtar added.

“I used to get livid when anyone was discriminated on the basis of region or religion. A Hindu born in Pakistan is entitled to represent his country. When that Hindu (Kaneria) won us the Test series against England (in 2005), I chided my team-mates for mistreating him,” Akhtar said.

Danish Kaneria is fourth on the list of bowlers with most Test wickets for Pakistan, behind only fast bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan.

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After the revelation of Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria shared his side of the story saying, “There were certain elements in the society who opposed. However, the opposition could not sustain against the people who loved me. I always remained positive in life and ignored such opposition,” Danish said.

“Shoaib Akhtar has always been very blunt. I did not have the courage to speak about it but Shoaib Bhai spoke about. I am proud that I have played for Pakistan and I have achieved so much against all the odds,” Danish said, reported India Today.

Sharing more Danish said, “I would like to add that Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, and Shoaib Akhtar always supported me for my cricketing abilities. I had never had any issues from their sides. I would like to clear this thing”.

“If Shoaib Bhai says something then it is really valued and believed and I would like to thank him for saying this and revealing this. If Shoaib Bhai himself could reveal the names who discriminated against me then it would be better or time will come when everything will come out openly,” Danish added.

Danish Kaneria was suspended from cricket in 2012 for fixing allegations. He was alleged of being involved in spot-fixing and was given a lifetime ban by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), preventing him from playing in matches under their jurisdiction. He subsequently filed an appeal against the ban, but this was rejected in July 2013. He approached many individuals in Pakistan to get his issues resolved, but his efforts went in vain.

Danish Kaneria further said, “At the same time, my life is not in good shape and I approached many individuals in Pakistan and around the world to resolve my issues. Yet, I have not received any help. Issues of many cricketers of Pakistan have been resolved though.”

“I gave everything possible for Pakistan as a cricketer and I am very proud of it. And in the hour of need, I am positive that the people of Pakistan will help me,” he said.

“I need support from all legendary players of Pakistan including honorable Prime Minister Imran Khan, cricket administrators of Pakistan and other countries to get me out of the mess. Please come forward and help me out,” he concluded.

Kaneria is fourth in the list of bowlers who have taken most Test wickets for Pakistan, behind only fast bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan. With 261 wickets in 62 Tests, the leggie remains one of Pakistan’s best spinners in recent times.