Danish Kaneria returns home from India

Banned Pakistan Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has made a quiet return here with his family after performing religious rituals in India, bringing to an end speculation about him trying to settle down in the neighbouring country.

“I think with me now back in Karachi everyone who was talking about me going to India to settle down there or even accused me of making anti-Pakistan cricket statements have got their answer,” Kaneria said.

The leg-spinner, who is only the second Hindu to play Test cricket for Pakistan, said he had insisted all along that he went to India only to perform his religious duties.

“I am back now because Pakistan is my country and my place of birth,” he added.

Kaneria, who was banned for life for spot-fixing in 2012 by England and Wales Cricket Board, also claimed innocence of the crime.

“Why should I admit or confess to something I never did.  As it is, the Pakistan Board did not support me or listen to my story and I have suffered a lot of humiliation and financial losses so what more can happen now,” he said.

Kaneria, who took 261 Test wickets for Pakistan, had upset the Pakistan Board when in an interview in India he said he was discriminated against because he was a Hindu by religion.

“I just said that the way the PCB has ignored and sidelined my case I feel isolated and let down. My case has never been taken up properly by the PCB. If there is concrete evidence against me of wrong doing I ask them to show it to the world once for all,” Kaneria said.

“If you don’t get justice and attention what else can you feel when you belong to a minority community,” he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board rubbished Kaneria’s claims and in a statement reminded the leg-spinner that he played 61 Tests for Pakistan.

“If he was discriminated against at any time because of his religion he would not have played even one match for Pakistan,” the PCB said in a statement.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan also recently said he was disappointed at Kaneria’s remarks and that the leg-spinner needed to be careful while making statements about Pakistan cricket in the Indian media.