Shahid Afridi Used To Keep Me On The Bench And Didn't Let Me Play - Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria recently alleged Shahid Afridi of mistreating him during their playing days with Pakistan.

In December 2019, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar revealed that Kaneria was treated unfairly in the Pakistan national team because of his faith in being a Hindu.

I was always degraded by Shahid Afridi: Danish Kaneria

In January 2020, Kaneria backed Akhtar’s claims while mentioning the lack of support and encouragement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

A couple of years later, Kaneria targeted Afridi for conspiring against him with other Pakistan team members.

“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,” Kaneria told news agency IANS.

“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 on 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,” he added. 

Some false spot-fixing allegations were levelled against me: Danish Kaneria

In 2009, Kaneria was found guilty of spot-fixing while playing for English club Essex and was banned from the sport.

Kaneria, who played 61 Tests and 19 ODI matches for Pakistan, said the spot-fixing allegations were falsely levelled against him.

“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,” Kaneria mentioned.

“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,” he concluded.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Danish Kaneria Feels The Team Given to Ravindra Jadeja At CSK is Weak