Shoaib Akhtar alleges Danish Kaneria faced discrimination at the hands of a few Pakistani cricketers
Shoaib Akhtar in his recent appearance at a TV show has alleged that former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria faced discrimination at the hands of a few fellow cricketers.
The revelations were made during a show ‘Game on Hai’ aired on PTV Sports, reports foreign media on Thursday.
“In my career, I fought with two-three (in the team) when they started talking on regionalism. Things like ‘who is from Karachi, Punjab or Peshawar’, that used to infuriate.
“So what if someone is a Hindu, he is doing well for the team. They used to say ‘sir ye yaaha se khaana kaise le raha ha’ (how is he taking food from this place)?’”, said Shoaib Akhtar.
“The same Hindu won the Test for us against England. If he is taking a bagful of wickets for Pakistan, he should play. We could not have won the series without Kaneria’s effort. But not many gave him credit for that,” Akhtar added.
Kaneria who admitted to spot-fixing in 2018 after six years of denial, has responded to Shoaib Akhtar’s comments on being approached by news agency over phone from Karachi.
Kaneria says, “Shoaib has been a legend of the game. His words are also as blunt as his bowling. When I was playing I did not have the courage to speak on these matters but after Shoaib bhai’s comments, I do. He has always supported me and also Inzy Bhai (Inzaman-ul-Haq), Mohammad Yusuf and Younis Bhai (Younis Khan)”.
“Those who did not support me, I will make their names public soon. Having said that, I feel fortunate and honoured that I got to play for Pakistan,” he further added.
Kaneria was found guilty of spot-fixing alongside English cricketer Mervyn Westfield while playing for Essex against Durham in 2009.
Leg-spinner now 39, was found to have convinced Westfield to concede 12 runs during the one-day game. Westfield was handed a four-month prison sentence and ECB banned him for five years.
44-year-old Shoaib Akhtar, who played 46 Tests and 163 ODIs has sparked a new controversy with his latest remarks which are not being welcomed by Pakistani cricket fans at all.
This single photo is enough to prove may be Shoaib Akhtar is wrong. Look at Inzamam ul Haq and Danish Kaneria.
Pak vs Eng 2005 Test series. pic.twitter.com/WnihVPJXHa— Haroon (@Har0_on) December 27, 2019
Why Danish Kaneria was so silent in last 15 years. He was banned due to fixing and now want to get some limelight by allegations.
And then their is Shoaib Akhtar who is just here to make indians happy to get an IPL commentary or star sports shows. Waoo
Such low levels.
— Rameel (@Rameel1834) December 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1210466159776059392
