Akhtar reveals telling details of how Kaneria was ill-treated by his teammates because he was a Hindu.
Recently on a Pakistani chat show, former bowler Shoaib Akhtar had made a shocking revelation about how Danish Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan, was mistreated by his teammates because of his religion.
The video in which Akhtar says that many teammates refused to have food with Kaneria because he was a Hindu has gone viral with Danish Kaneria himself thanking Akhtar for revealing the atrocities he faced.
Meanwhile, former India opener and now BJP MP from Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, said that this is the true face of Pakistan where minorities are treated badly. "This is the actual face of Pakistan. We had Mohammad Azharuddin as captain of our side and he captained us in 80-90 Test matches. This shows the reality of Pakistan, they have a sportsman (Imran Khan) as their Prime Minister, still, people in their country have to go through this. Kaneria played 60 matches for Pakistan, and it is shameful," former cricketer Gambhir told reporters.
Kaneria, who picked 261 wickets in Tests for Pakistan, has appealed for help from Pakistan PM Imran Khan, citing his life is not going well and he is struggling to get out of the mess. Kaneria was banned for life by ECB after admitting to match-fixing in 2012 in England.
"My life is not in good shape and I approached many individuals in Pakistan and around the world to resolve my issues. Yet, I have not received any help. Issues of many cricketers of Pakistan have been resolved though. I gave everything possible for Pakistan as a cricketer and I am very proud of it. And in the hour of need, I am positive that the people of Pakistan will help," Kaneria had said.
"I need support from all legendary players of Pakistan including Prime Minister Imran Khan, cricket administrators of Pakistan and other countries to get me out the mess. Please come forward and help me out," Kaneria's statement read.
(ANI inputs)