Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistani Hindu cricketer, revealed that Shahid Afridi repeatedly urged him to convert to Islam. He shared his experiences of discrimination in the Pakistani cricket team, which he claims severely impacted his career. Kaneria played 61 Test matches and was outspoken about the challenges faced by minority athletes in Pakistan during a Congressional Briefing.
Former Pakistani Hindu cricketer Danish Kaneria disclosed that Shahid Afridi repeatedly urged him to convert to Islam during their time on the cricket team. Kaneria spoke about his struggles with discrimination within the team, which he claims led to the deterioration of his career. Over his international career, he played 61 Test matches for Pakistan, taking 261 wickets with an economy rate of 3.07.
At a Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC, Kaneria expressed how his religion affected his treatment in Pakistan. He stated, “I did not receive the respect and equal value I deserved in Pakistan. Because of this discrimination, I am in the US today.” He emphasized the need for awareness about the suffering of minorities in Pakistan.
Kaneria criticized Afridi’s actions, stating that he faced significant pressure from him and other players, who excluded him socially and targeted him for his faith. Notably, he mentioned, “Shahid Afridi was the main person telling me to convert, and he did a lot of times.” In contrast, he credited Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar for their support during his career.
In addition to his Test achievements, Kaneria also played in One Day Internationals (ODIs), debuting in 2001 against Zimbabwe and accumulating 15 wickets in 18 matches. Kaneria holds the distinction of being the second Hindu cricketer to represent the Pakistan Cricket Team, following Anil Dalpat.
Danish Kaneria’s revelations highlight the challenges faced by minority athletes in Pakistan. His experiences, particularly regarding discrimination and pressure to convert, illustrate the intersection of sports and religion. Kaneria’s call for recognition and support for minority rights underscores the importance of addressing these issues within the sporting context in Pakistan.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
