Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has said that he has faced discrimination from authorities back home as well as from the cricket board and while the country may be his birthplace, India is the land
of his ancestors and hence his motherland, sparking debates amidst rough relations between the two countries.
Kaneria, a practising Hindu, expressed pride in his Pakistani identity while admitting he had faced discrimination.
In a post on X, Kaneria opened up about facing discrimination from Pakistani authorities and the Pakistan Cricket Board, alleging that he was even pressured to change his religion.
“Lately, I have seen many people questioning me, asking why I don’t speak about Pakistan, why I comment on Bharat’s internal matters and some even alleging that I do all this for Bharatiya citizenship,” Kaneria tweeted on Saturday morning.
Lately, I have seen many people questioning me, asking why I do not speak about Pakistan, why I comment on Bharat’s internal matters, and some even alleging that I do all this for Bharatiya citizenship. I feel it is important to set the record straight.
From Pakistan and its…
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) October 4, 2025
“From Pakistan and its people, I have received much, above all, the love of the awam. But alongside that love, I also faced deep discrimination from Pakistani authorities and the PCB, including attempts at forced conversion,” Kaneria tweeted.
“Regarding Bharat and its citizenship, let me be absolutely clear. Pakistan may be my Janmabhoomi, but Bharat, the land of my ancestors, is my Matrubhumi. For me, Bharat is like a temple,” Kaneria added.
The former Pakistan cricketer has vowed to call out anti-nationals and pseudo-secularists who, he claims, are undermining social harmony and fostering division.
Kaneria’s cricket career spanned from 2000 to 2010, during which he played 61 Tests and 18 ODIs for Pakistan as a right-arm leg-spinner.
