Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has spilled beans on his former teammate Shahid Afridi saying that he conspired against his name during his playing days. Also, he requested Pakistan Cricket Board to get his lifetime ban lifted as he was not involved in any type of spot-fixing scandal and everything claimed on his name is false.
Danish Kaneria was reckoned as one of the best leg spinners ever played for the Pakistan Cricket Team. He donned Pakistan’s national jersey in 79 games and took 276 wickets. But, due to some controversy within the team he was sidelined from the national side.
Shahid Afridi Was a Liar- Danish Kaneria Echoes in Shoaib Akhtar’s Voice
Last year, Shoaib Akhtar shed light on Danish Kaneria’s position. He had revealed that Kaneria was not picked in the national side due to his religion. The former Pakistan pacer said that these sort of things happens on the national side and he also faced the same. Even, he added that Shahid Afridi was also involved in the conspiracy, and didn’t allowed him to play in the ODI tournament.
“Shoaib Akhtar was the first person to talk about my problem in public. Hats off to him for saying it (how I was mistreated in the team because of being a Hindu). However, he was later pressured by several authorities. He then stopped talking about it. But yes, it did happen to me. I was always degraded by Shahid Afridi. We used to play together for the same department, he used to keep me on the bench and didn’t let me play the one-day tournament.
“He didn’t want me to be in the team. He was a liar, manipulator… because he’s a characterless person. However, my focus was only on cricket and I used to ignore all these tactics. Shahid Afridi was the only person who would go to other players and provoke them against me. I was performing well and he was jealous of me. I am proud that I played for Pakistan. I was grateful,” Kaneria told IANS.
“Some false allegations were levelled against me (of spot-fixing). My name was joined with the person involved in the case. He was a friend of other Pakistani cricketers as well, including Afridi. But I don’t know why I was targeted. I just want to request the PCB to lift the ban so that I can do my work.
“There are several fixers who got out of ban. I don’t know why I am not able to get that treatment. I have played for my country and I should be given a chance like others as well. Now I am not even playing any international cricket. I am not asking the PCB for any job, but please lift this ban so that I can live peacefully and do my work with respect,” the 41-year-old added.
