Danish Kaneria - Afridi - sportstiger

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Former Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria has recently opened up about how Shahid Afridi pushed him out of the national team. While talking to ANI, the 41-year-old revealed the religious barriers created by Afridi against him as he was a Hindu and provoked other players against him. 

Kaneria said, “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,” the leg spinner added. 

Danish Kaneria disclosed how Afridi never wanted him in the team and was a maniacal individual. The 41-year-old continued, “He didn’t want me to be in the team. He was a liar, and 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.

"I don’t know why I was targeted,"

Kaneria’s career hit a roadblock when he was banned for life by the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2012 on two spot-fixing charges during the English County Championship pro-league matches in 2009.

He said, “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.