Kaneria slams Afridi for keeping him out of team

New Delhi, May 16: Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria on Saturday accused Shahid Afridi of treating him unfairly all through his career and blamed him for a rather short limited overs outing.

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. However, he only played 18 ODIs between 2000 and 2010.

Speaking a news agency from Karachi, the 39-yearold said, beyond his religion, it was difficult for him to think about the reason behind Afridi’s discriminatory behaviour.

“He was always against me, when we were playing for the same department in domestic cricket or playing me in ODIs. If one person is always against you and you are in that situation, what other reason would think other than that (religion),” said Kaneria when asked if he was a victim of religious discrimination.

Kaneria said he could have played a lot more than 18 ODIs if it was not for Afridi.

“I could not play more ODIs because of him and he also treated me unfairly when we used to play for the same department (in domestic cricket), he was the captain. He used to keep me out of the side and often he would do the same in ODIs without any reason.

“He used to support others but not me. Thanks to almighty, I still went on to play a lot for Pakistan and I could not be more proud of that,” the former Pakistani spinner added.

Kaneria said he used to be a regular member of ODI squads but hardly got to play, blaming Afridi again for that.

“I was a leg spinner and so was he. That was another reason. He was a big star and playing for Pakistan anyway and to treat me like that, I could not understand why.

“They used to say two spinners can’t play in the eleven. They used to say my fielding was an issue in limited overs cricket. You tell me who were the supremely fit leaders at that time? There were only one or two good fielders. Pakistan was never known for fielding anyway,” he added. — PTI

I could not play more ODIs because of him and he also treated me unfairly when we used to play for the same department (in domestic cricket). He used to keep me out of the side without any reason. — DANISH KANERIA

former Pakistani cricketer