PCB Contract: Kaneria demoted, says he is 'hurt'

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 spinners' 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 wrote in a column for ‘bigstarcricket.com’ website.

"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 only have the fast bowlers ahead of me -- Waqar Younis, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. I just feel that 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 Pakistan system and behind players like Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif, who despite being good, have not played as much cricket as him.

"I am not complaining and frustrated for financial reasons, it is just an embarrassment for me and it pains me very much. I have spoken to the PCB but there does not seem to be any sign that my situation is going to change," Kaneria stated.