Danish Kaneria revealed that Shahid Afridi pressured him to convert to Islam during his cricket career, which was marred by discrimination due to his Hindu faith. He shared these experiences during a Congressional Briefing in Washington DC, stating that such discrimination caused significant difficulties in his professional life. Kaneria’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by minorities in Pakistan.
Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistani Hindu cricketer, disclosed that Shahid Afridi repeatedly urged him to convert to Islam during his time on the national team. Kaneria’s cricket career faced significant challenges due to discrimination, which he attributes to his Hindu faith. He made these revelations while participating in a Congressional Briefing in Washington DC, highlighting the plight of minorities in Pakistan.
Kaneria, who debuted for Pakistan in 2000, competed in 61 Test matches, claiming 261 wickets. He stated, “I, too, have faced a lot of discrimination, and my career was destroyed. I did not receive the respect and equal value I deserved in Pakistan.” He believes his experiences have compelled him to speak out in the United States, bringing attention to the suffering of minority groups.
The former cricketer accused Afridi of creating a hostile environment for him, recalling that Afridi, along with other teammates, would isolate him and not share meals with him. Kaneria expressed gratitude towards Inzamam-ul-Haq for his support, contrasting it with the treatment he received from Afridi, who “was the main person telling me to convert, and he did a lot of times.”
In addition to his Test career, Kaneria played 18 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan, making his debut in 2001 against Zimbabwe. He is recognized as the second Hindu cricketer to represent the Pakistan national team after Anil Dalpat.
Danish Kaneria’s revelations about Shahid Afridi’s alleged pressure to convert highlight the discriminatory challenges he faced as a Hindu cricketer in Pakistan. His experiences serve as a reminder of the struggles minorities encounter, prompting him to advocate for awareness and change. Despite a successful cricket career, Kaneria’s journey underscores the importance of equality and respect regardless of religious beliefs.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
