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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Kaneria hurt over Champions Trophy snub

Kaneria hurt over Champions Trophy snub

Source: PTI
September 12, 2006 18:55 IST
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Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria says missing out on a berth in the Champions Trophy squad is a "huge setback" as he was keen to establish himself as a one-day bowler.

The leg-spinner, who has been Pakistan's most successful bowler in Test matches in the last two years, with 169 wickets from 40 matches, said it hurts all the more because he felt he deserved to be in the one-day side as well.

"I felt I bowled quite well in the Test series in England. I took 13 wickets but I could easily have taken 20 if luck had gone my way. Although I missed out on the one-day matches in England, I hoped things might be different for the Champions Trophy," he said.

"I respect the selectors' decision, it is not easy for them. But I am very ambitious. I want to be in the team all the time and want to improve my game playing against the best in the world," said Kaneria, who is only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan after Anil Dalpat.

"I don't want to be known only as a Test player. My aim is that one day I will be the best bowler in the world in Test and one-day cricket," he said.

Kaneria, who has played only 16 ODIs, said he was hopeful of making it to the Champions Trophy squad as he had bowled well on Indian pitches last year.

"But it didn't happen that way. And it is quite frustrating and disappointing. As it is losing the Test series in England was a letdown."

Pakistan were beaten 3-0 in the Test series and held to a 2-2 draw in the one-day series by England to cap a miserable tour that included the Oval Test controversy.

Nevertheless, Kaneria is desperate to play in next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

"I think I can be a danger on those pitches, as I bowled well there on the tour last year," he said.

"Nobody has explained to me why I wasn't picked, but I know that my fielding has improved and so has my batting. And I want to be in the one-day side to take wickets like other bowlers do."

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