Kaneria made his ODI debut in October 2001 against Zimbabwe at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium; he conceded 43 runs in seven overs without taking a wicket. Kaneria played his next match 18 months later against the same team at the same ground. He bowled nine overs and took two wickets for 38 runs in that match. He played eight matches in 2003 taking eight wickets; he appeared in one ODI in 2004. Kaneria played five matches in 2005 taking only three wickets while in 2006 he played a match against Scotland.