Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has alleged that he faced discrimination throughout his career, claiming that his treatment in Pakistan was unjust and ultimately led to the downfall of his professional journey.
Speaking at a gathering focused on minority issues in Pakistan, Kaneria accused former captain Shahid Afridi of pressuring him to convert to Islam and creating difficulties for him within the team.
Kaneria, who follows the Hindu faith, asserted that he was never given the same level of respect and recognition as his fellow cricketers in Pakistan.
He recently participated in a Congressional Briefing on the “Plight of Minorities in Pakistan,” where he shared his experiences of bias and exclusion.
“Today, we came together to highlight the discrimination we have faced and to raise our voices against injustice. I personally encountered discrimination in Pakistan, and it had a devastating impact on my career. I was never treated equally or given the respect I deserved,” Kaneria stated in an interview with ANI.
He emphasized that the event aimed to create awareness, particularly among international audiences such as the United States, about the struggles minorities face in Pakistan and to advocate for action against such injustices.
Kaneria has previously spoken about the challenges he endured, particularly from Afridi, whom he accused of repeatedly pressuring him to embrace Islam. He recalled that only former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq extended support to him during his career.
“I was performing well in my career and also playing county cricket. Inzamam-ul-Haq was the only captain who stood by me, along with Shoaib Akhtar. However, Shahid Afridi and several other teammates made things difficult for me, even going as far as refusing to share meals with me. Afridi persistently urged me to convert to Islam, pressuring me multiple times. Inzamam-ul-Haq, on the other hand, never imposed such discussions on me,” Kaneria previously stated in an interview with Aaj Tak.
