Danish Kaneria
'Happened to me everyday': Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria reveals communal taunts by teammates
In an embarrassment for Pakistan, its former cricketer Danish Kaneria has alleged that he was heckled by his teammates on religious lines in the backdrop of the criticism of the Ahmedabad crowd for its behaviour during the India-Pak match in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
Kaneria, who was the second Hindu to play for Pakistan, has shared a video on X.
The video shows a Pakistani player telling Sri Lankan batter Tillakaratne Dilshan that he would go straight to heaven upon converting to Islam.
"Is you non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in life, straight to heaven," the Pakistani player was heard telling Dilshan whose reply was inaudible. (sic)
In response to Dilshan's words, the Pakistani player said, "Then be ready for the fire."
Posting the video, Kaneria, who was a spin bowler, wrote on X, "Be it the dressing room, the playground or the dining table, this happened to me every day." (sic)
Be it the dressing room, the playground or the dining table, this happened to me every day. pic.twitter.com/vdv5NpBKxq
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) October 15, 2023
Kaneria's comment comes days after India demolished Pakistan by seven wickets in an epic battle of the world cup.
In the match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was booed at the toss and in a separate instance, the crowd chanted "Jai Shree Ram" slogan when Mohammad Rizwan was walking back to the pavilion following his dismissal.
The events took political turns after Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin slammed the chanting of "Jai Shree Ram", the slogan which is politically used by the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Stalin was also hit back by the BJP, which rules Gujarat where Ahmedabad is located.
After a humiliating defeat, Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur said it seemed the match was organised by the BCCI (the Indian cricket board) and not the International Cricket Council.
"It didn't seem like an ICC event tonight, let's be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series, it seemed like a BCCI event.
"I didn't hear Dil Dil Pakistan coming through the microphones too often tonight," Arthur said on a day when the Narendra Modi Stadium turned into a sea of blue in support of the home team.
Not just the crowd, Bollywood actors, singers, former cricketers to Union Home Minister Amit Shah flew down to Ahmedabad to witness the contest.
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