Amid his fight with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking permission to be back in the fold, banned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has resumed playing cricket in a tournament organized by the veterans' association. He took part in the seniors' tournament on Sunday (December 13).
He has been fighting for his rights with the PCB over the past 2-3 years since other players who have been involved in corrupt activities were allowed to play cricket in Pakistan, but he is still serving a life ban despite he wasn't banned either by PCB or the International Cricket Council.
Kaneria was banned by England and Wales Cricket Board in 2012 for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing in 2009. Recently, the leg-spinner filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, pleading for the court to direct the PCB to reopen his case and allow him to attend the Board's anti-corruption rehabilitation program like other players found guilty of corruption in order to return to the game.
Read Also: Danish Kaneria files petition in Sindh High Court seeking rehab in PCB program
However, before any outcome of his plea, Kaneria impressed everyone with his bowling show in the seniors' tournament in Pakistan as the leg-spinner bagged 4 for 25 in his four overs.
However, the tournament was not organized by the PCB or its affiliated units, so he could participate as a PCB official stated: “We have nothing to say in this matter as they are not directly or indirectly affiliated to us. Kaneria is banned from participating in any cricket activity carried out in the country by any affiliated or indirectly affiliated unit of the board.”
Kaneria told reporters at the Naya Nazimabad ground in Karachi: “There is no bar on me playing in a seniors event since it does not come under the ambit of the Pakistan Cricket Board.”
On his latest petition against PCB, the banned cricketer said: “I want the Board to also give me a fair chance and we have taken the stance that the ECB life ban only bars me from playing any cricket in the UK and the ban does not apply to the jurisdiction of the PCB.”
However, Kaneria – who scalped 261 wickets in 61 Tests for Pakistan before he was sidelined after 2010 due to the ongoing case in the UK, was hopeful that his ban would end soon and he could make a return to competitive and professional cricket having again and again apologized for his conduct.
He signed off by saying, “I have apologized for my actions and I have again submitted my apology in my petition to the court. I am ready to attend all the rehab programs of the board. I just want them to give me another chance.”
(With PTI Inputs)
