Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has publicly accused his ex-teammate Shahid Afridi of religious discrimination and promoting extremist views. The latest escalation occurred on X (formerly Twitter), where Kaneria responded to Afridi’s controversial comments about India and the recent Pahalgam terror attack, as well as longstanding issues between the two from their playing days.
Key Allegations by Danish Kaneria
Religious Discrimination: Kaneria, who is Hindu, stated that Afridi repeatedly tried to persuade him to convert to Islam during their time together in the Pakistan cricket team. Kaneria also alleged that Afridi refused to share meals with him, which he found deeply disrespectful.
Extremist Views: Kaneria criticized Afridi for “consistently aligning himself with extremist views” and called for Indian media and platforms to deny Afridi a space to share his opinions, especially after Afridi’s statements blaming India for orchestrating the Pahalgam terror attack.
Lack of Respect and Discrimination: Kaneria reiterated that he did not receive equal respect or value in Pakistan, attributing this in part to his minority status and the discrimination he faced, which he claims ultimately destroyed his career.
Context of the Recent Outburst
Pahalgham Terror Attack: The immediate trigger for Kaneria’s latest comments was Afridi’s reaction to the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. Afridi accused India of staging the attack and blaming Pakistan, a claim widely condemned in India.
Viral Video and Social Media Exchange: Afridi’s statements went viral, prompting Kaneria to respond forcefully on X. Kaneria’s post highlighted Afridi’s alleged history of religious intolerance and urged Indian media to stop giving Afridi a platform.
Statement from Kaneria on X
“He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful.”
Funny how someone who refuses to sit or eat with Hindus is suddenly inviting one for tea—didn’t realize hypocrisy came with a tea service. https://t.co/64jmu9InxI
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) April 29, 2025
Broader Impact and Reactions
Kaneria’s revelations have reignited debates about religious tolerance and discrimination in Pakistan cricket, as well as the role of former players in public discourse.
Indian media and cricket fans have largely supported Kaneria’s stance, especially in light of Afridi’s controversial comments about the Pahalgam attack.
Key Points of the Controversy
| Issue | Danish Kaneria’s Allegation | Shahid Afridi’s Position/Response |
| Religious Discrimination | Pressured to convert, excluded from meals | No direct response to latest specific claims |
| Extremist Views | Consistently aligns with extremism | Blamed India for Kashmir attack |
| Media Platform | Should not be given platform in India | Frequently appears on TV and social media |
| Response to Pahalgam Attack | Condemned attack, criticized Afridi | Claimed India staged attack |
Conclusion
Danish Kaneria’s public exposure of Shahid Afridi on X has brought renewed attention to issues of religious discrimination, intolerance, and the responsibilities of public figures in shaping discourse. Kaneria’s allegations, particularly about being pressured to convert and being excluded by Afridi, have sparked widespread discussion and condemnation of Afridi’s recent and past conduct.
