KARACHI, Feb 6: Frustrated at being demoted in the new central contracts list, Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria on Wednesday said his achievement of being among the country’s top five bowlers with over 200 Test wickets deserved a bit more respect.

Kaneria was recently demoted to category C in the central contracts and despite his 51 Test appearances bracketed along with junior players like Fawad Alam who has played just four One-Day Internationals.

Danish was also told to attend a two-week spinner’s specialised camp in Lahore under the supervision of former Test spinners, Intikhab Alam and Tauseef Ahmed.

”I went into the camp with a great deal of frustration, having been demoted in the Pakistan Cricket Board contracts ratings system. It is still hurting me,” Kaneria said.

”I have been Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker for the last four years, and I am now one of the top three or four in terms of seniority, having made my Test debut in 2001,” he said.

Kaneria said his exploits were second only to greats like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and he did not deserve to be demoted in the contracts list. “I have played 51 Tests now and once I pass Abdul Qadir’s 236 Test wickets, hopefully this year, I will then have only the fast bowlers ahead of me which are Imran Khan, Waqar and Wasim. I just feel that my achievement deserves a bit more respect. I am respected more when I play at Essex,” he stated.

Kaneria is bracketed with players who have just come into the Pakistani system and is left behind the players like Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif, who despite being good, have not played as much cricket as him.

”I am not complaining or frustrated for financial reasons, it is just an embarrassment for me that I have been demoted and it pains very much. I have spoken to the PCB but it does not seem that my situation is going to change,” Kaneria stated.

”Officials have said that the reason for my demotion is that I only play Test cricket, but this is not my fault. I have always been desperate to be given a chance to prove myself as a wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals but never had that opportunity on an extended basis. My behaviour has always been good on tours, I am rarely injured, what more do I have to do?” he asked.

—Agencies