Cricket is more than just a sport in Pakistan – it’s a national obsession. The country has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game, from the legendary Imran Khan to modern-day superstars like Babar Azam. But amidst the sea of Muslim players who have donned the green and white jersey over the years, there are two names that stand out: Danish Kaneria and Anil Dalpat, the only two Hindu players to have ever represented Pakistan in international cricket.
Their stories are ones of talent, perseverance, and ultimately, the challenges of being a religious minority in a Muslim-majority country. Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating journeys of these two trailblazing cricketers.
Danish Kaneria: Pakistan’s Hindu Spin Wizard
Danish Kaneria was born on December 16, 1980, in Karachi to a Hindu family. His ancestors had migrated from Surat, India and settled in Pakistan’s largest city over a century ago. From a young age, Kaneria showed immense talent with the cricket ball, with his leg-spin and googlies bamboozling batsmen in school and club cricket.
His potential was recognized early, and Kaneria made his international debut for Pakistan in 2000 at the age of 19. Over the next decade, he would go on to become the country’s most successful spin bowler in Test cricket, taking 261 wickets in 61 matches at an average of 34.79. His best performance came against Bangladesh in 2003, when he took 12 wickets for 94 runs in the match.
Despite his success on the field, Kaneria faced challenges off it. He was only the second Hindu player to represent Pakistan, after his cousin Anil Dalpat, and just the seventh non-Muslim overall. In a country where cricket is closely tied to national and religious identity, being a minority came with its share of difficulties.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar spoke out about the discrimination Kaneria faced within the team, saying:
“I used to get livid when anyone was discriminated on the basis of region or religion. A Hindu born in Pakistan is entitled to represent his country. When that Hindu (Kaneria) won us the Test series against England (in 2005), I chided my team-mates for mistreating him.”
Kaneria’s international career came to a controversial end in 2010, when he was banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal. He has since admitted to meeting a match-fixer, but claims he was unaware of the person’s true identity at the time. The scandal brought a sad end to what had been a groundbreaking career for a Hindu player in Pakistan.
Anil Dalpat: The First Hindu to Play for Pakistan
Two decades before Danish Kaneria burst onto the scene, another Hindu player was making history for Pakistan. Anil Dalpat, born on September 20, 1963, in Karachi, became the first Hindu to play Test cricket for Pakistan when he made his debut against England in 1984.
Dalpat was a wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman. He played nine Tests for Pakistan, scoring 167 runs at an average of 15.18 and taking 25 catches and 3 stumpings. His highest score of 52 came against New Zealand in Karachi in 1984.
In addition to his Test appearances, Dalpat also played 15 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 87 runs at an average of 12.42 and taking 15 catches and 2 stumpings. He was a reliable presence behind the stumps, known for his neat glovework.
Like his cousin Danish Kaneria, who would follow in his footsteps years later, Dalpat was a trailblazer for Hindu cricketers in Pakistan. He proved that religious background was no barrier to representing the country at the highest level, paving the way for greater inclusivity in Pakistani cricket.
The Challenges of Being a Hindu Cricketer in Pakistan
The stories of Danish Kaneria and Anil Dalpat highlight the unique challenges faced by Hindu cricketers in Pakistan. In a country where 97% of the population is Muslim, being a religious minority can come with its share of obstacles and discrimination.
This is particularly true in the world of cricket, which is closely intertwined with Pakistani national identity. The sport is seen as a unifying force in a country that has faced political instability and sectarian tensions, with the national team serving as a symbol of pride and unity.
However, this unity has not always extended to players from minority backgrounds. As Shoaib Akhtar’s comments about the treatment of Danish Kaneria show, Hindu cricketers have faced discrimination and mistreatment from their own teammates at times.
There have also been instances of Hindu players facing abuse from fans and media. In 2013, when Pakistan was playing a Test match against South Africa in the UAE, a group of Pakistani fans reportedly chanted “Hindu, Hindu” at South African player Hashim Amla, who is a devout Muslim. The incident highlighted the religious tensions that can sometimes spill over into the cricket arena.
Despite these challenges, the success of Danish Kaneria and Anil Dalpat shows that talent and dedication can overcome barriers of religion and ethnicity. Their stories serve as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers from minority backgrounds, not just in Pakistan but around the world.
The Future of Hindu Cricketers in Pakistan
Since Danish Kaneria’s ban in 2010, no other Hindu cricketer has represented Pakistan at the international level. This is partly due to the small size of the Hindu population in the country, which makes up just 2% of the total.
However, there are signs that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is taking steps to promote greater inclusivity and diversity within the sport. In 2019, the PCB launched a new policy to tackle discrimination and promote equality, with a focus on increasing representation of women and minorities in cricket.
The policy includes measures such as setting up a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion Committee, providing training on diversity and inclusion to all PCB staff and players, and working with schools and colleges to promote cricket among underrepresented groups.
These initiatives offer hope that in the future, we may see more Hindu cricketers like Danish Kaneria and Anil Dalpat breaking through and representing Pakistan at the highest level. Their stories serve as a reminder that cricket has the power to unite people across religious and cultural divides, and that talent and dedication can overcome even the most entrenched barriers.
As Pakistan continues to grapple with issues of religious harmony and national identity, the examples set by these two pioneering Hindu cricketers offer a glimpse of a more inclusive future for the country and its most beloved sport. Their legacies will continue to inspire generations of young cricketers, no matter their background or beliefs.
Conclusion
The stories of Danish Kaneria and Anil Dalpat are ones of talent, perseverance, and the power of sport to break down barriers. As the only two Hindu players to have represented Pakistan in international cricket, they faced unique challenges and discrimination, but ultimately proved that religion is no obstacle to success on the field.
Their legacies serve as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers from minority backgrounds, and a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in sport and society. As Pakistan cricket continues to evolve and progress, it is hoped that their examples will pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious future, where players are judged solely on their abilities and character, rather than their faith or ethnicity.
