Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria hit out Tuesday against another court-room delay putting back his bid to revive an international career embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal. A court on Tuesday again adjourned his appeal against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) failure to clear him of fixing allegations. The new date set for the hearing in Sindh High Court in Karachi is October 20.
Kaneria and fellow Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested last year on charges of spot-fixing during a Pro40 one-day match against Durham in 2009. Kaneria was later released without charge but Westfield faces criminal proceedings, prompting the PCB not to clear Kaneria for national selection. “I am frustrated at the delay which has kept me from playing,” Kaneria told AFP. “I don’t know why the PCB is delaying the case.” Kaneria said there was no proof against him.
“When there is no proof against me why is the PCB not clearing me? It’s mental torture. Is it because I am from Karachi or because I have a different religion?” said Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan. PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the board would now write to Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service with Kaniera’s consent to ask for details of the British investigation. “Kaneria was arrested so there were allegations against him and the PCB wants the transcript or the tapes of the investigation,” Rizvi told AFP.
Kaneria, who has chalked up 61 Tests and 18 one-days for Pakistan, has not played internationally since being dropped on tour in England last year. The court delay means Kaneria will not be able to feature in Pakistan’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka next month to be played in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan also play five one-day and a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. Despite an international ban, Kaneria is allowed to play at home. He is leading a Karachi side in the ongoing Twenty20 tournament in Karachi.
Do you think he is justified to bring in city and religion into this matter?
Not justified. But looking at the trend how umpteen cricketers from Karachi have been mistreated and many careers of Karachi based players were prematurely ended, one can’t help but think that way. Having said that, he shouldn’t have involved religion in between. I don’t agree with that part.
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