Opinion

Danish Kaneria would say anything for money: Javed Miandad

Written by Abhishek Patil

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has been making headlines the past few days soon after Shoaib Akhtar claimed that the ex-spinner faced discrimination within the team on the basis of his religion. While Kaneria said that he would soon reveal the names of the players who discriminated with him for being Hindu, another former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad has called the claims to be false.

Miandad made a scathing remark on Kaneria, suggesting he would say or do anything for money as he has no credibility left in the cricketing spectrum. The former Pak coach also asserted that someone who is facing a life ban due to corruption in the sport shouldn’t be taken seriously.

“What are they trying to achieve I don’t understand. But if you talk about Kaneria, he will say anything for money and he has no credibility left in cricket,” Miandad told PTI. “How can you believe someone who is serving a life ban for corruption in cricket? Who let down his country? I was head coach of the Pakistan team in early 2000 and Kaneria was in the team and I don’t remember a single incident where there was ever any issue about his being a Hindu.”

It has to be noted that Kaneria’s comments came only after Akhtar had revealed how the former faced discrimination within the team for being Hindu. It was the legendary speedster who had claimed that Pakistani players wouldn’t eat with him as he wasn’t a Muslim.

Miandad, however, continued to dismiss Kaneria’s claims without even considering that it was Akhtar who had alleged religious-bias within the team first.

“Pakistan has given him so much recognition and he played for 10-years in Test cricket. Would this have been possible if there was any issue over his religion? So how is this possible if he ever faced any bias over his being a Hindu,” Miandad asserted.

“In Pakistan cricket, we have never had any bias over religion,” the iconic Pakistani batsman further said.

About the author

Abhishek Patil