‘Unjust life ban’: Kaneria seeks PM Sharif's help
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Pakistan's out-of-favour leg-spinner Danish Kaneria on Monday sought Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s intervention against what he called an “unjust life ban” enforced by the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Kaneria was accused of being involved in a spot-fixing scandal during England’s domestic Pro40 match in 2009.
According to Kaneria's earlier statements, his involvement is yet to be proven in a court of law, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have maintained their life ban on him.
He was accused for “prompting” Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield into spot-fixing.
In a letter to the Federal Minister for Human Rights Zahid Hamid, Kaneria called for Sharif’s help to remove the ban.
The leggie wrote: “I urge you to please help me in requesting the Prime Minister who is the Patron of PCB to review my case.”
"The ECB has banned me from playing cricket in England based on the mere false statements of the convicted English Country cricketer, Mervyn Westfield,” the 35-year old stated.
The Karachi-born cricketer mentioned the names of the tainted trio which was convicted in the famous spot-fixing saga during Pakistan’s tour to England in 2010.
“All convicted cricketers (Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir) are slowly and steadily allowed to play domestic and international cricket, even the ECB has allowed Mervyn Westfield to play professional cricket in (the) UK,” mentioned the leggie.
Kaneria, who donned the Pakistan colours in 61 Tests and 18 One Day Internationals, said the integrity and honesty have been an integral part of his cricketing career.
"I have played for Pakistan and English County Cricket with all honesty and integrity and I have never indulged in any spot-fixing or match-fixing throughout my career,” he added.
The unorthodox leg-break bowler last played for Pakistan back in 2010 against England at Nottingham.
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Comments (49) Closed
Apr 04, 2016 06:16pm
This is shame for Pakistan and for Pakistan cricket team, The most successful leg spinner in the history of Pakistan cricket and this is how they are treating him ? I have personally Met Danish and gone through his story and felt that he is not guilty.
At the end of the day its a shame for Cricket .
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Apr 04, 2016 06:28pm
Danish Kaneria has a point. He should appeal to all and his appeal should be heard.
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Apr 04, 2016 06:28pm
Shame on PCB for not doing enough to help this cricketer.
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Apr 04, 2016 06:29pm
I agreed. Should be his ban ended...
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Apr 04, 2016 06:44pm
Danish Kaneria should be allowed to play in IPL!!
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Apr 04, 2016 06:50pm
he is being discriminated for being a hindu.
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Apr 04, 2016 06:53pm
This is highly regretful that this excellent player & highly skilled bowler has been left in dark to succumb to a life ban imposed by a foreign country not even ICC. How come PCB has accepted such a ban as its own & allowed this ex player to face all consequences alone. DK claims he is not guilty yet no one wants to listen to him. I feel sorry for this lonely & helpless soul.
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Apr 04, 2016 07:14pm
Poor guy has no connection in higher ranks. PM should look into his plea.
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Apr 04, 2016 07:20pm
@ali Sir,he was banned by the British courts. How was this act discriminatory against him based on religion.
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Apr 04, 2016 07:21pm
It seem PM himself is need of help nowadays
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Apr 04, 2016 07:27pm
Shame for PCB chairman Sharyar, that he follow England based on the mere false statements of the convicted English Country cricketer, Mervyn Westfield,”England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have maintained their life ban on him. Is English law apply on Pakistan why pakistanis living and seeking political Asylum seekers talking against Pakistan there is bilateral law, Danish did not do any wrong, his personal accounts in Banks has been blocked how can Danish feed his family, my request to H.E. Ch.Nisar is that please take care of this Sharyar unwise decision to follow his master voice.
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Apr 04, 2016 07:30pm
so they had no evidence against him and banned him for life? he took that ban and walked away until now? what...
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Apr 04, 2016 07:33pm
Was their evidence to ban him? If there wasn't (or if it was insufficient), then he should lodge an appeal via his lawyer to a higher sporting body, the ICC or the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
Under ICC member rules, there are reciprocal punishments. If a player is found guilty by the ECB , then all ICC members have to accept that.
DK's case is not directly comparable to the 'tainted trio', as ultimately they were convicted and sentenced - and have now served those bans too.
From what I understand, he has never lodged any such appeal. They are relatively costly. He probably doesn't have that kind of money - and honestly I can't think of the PCB funding it.
What can the PM do here - apart from give DK the money himself to fund the appeal?
The PM can't get his life ban overturned, and if the PM asks the PCB to fund it, political parties will be in uproar etc.
And given the other spin options now, like Yasir Shah etc - the PCB now have no need for DK.
Really sad situation.
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Apr 04, 2016 07:55pm
Seriously, the prime minister cannot sack Shahryar or Sethi how can he help Kaneria?
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Apr 04, 2016 08:00pm
Its really amazing as to how PCB kept its eyes closed and allowed ECB to dictate terms.
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Apr 04, 2016 08:12pm
I do feel for him as he has been banned for life by the ECB and not ICC based on false allegations
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Apr 04, 2016 08:20pm
@Omar three pak cricketers banned by icc now free to play cricket than why not this cricketer.
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Apr 04, 2016 08:46pm
giv him a chance and he defin. hv ability to serve.
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Apr 04, 2016 09:18pm
BCCI has power to get the decision reversed. Let us appeal to them.
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Apr 04, 2016 09:20pm
@Omar Because 3 other guys were banned and their bans have been lifted. Why not Kaneria's.
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Apr 04, 2016 09:43pm
@Omar why is Pak cricket board not letting him play?
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Apr 04, 2016 09:45pm
@Tanweer Khan he didn't have money and PCB didn't support him
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Apr 04, 2016 10:08pm
Feel sorry for this chap , I watched him on bails off n looks decent , humble , down to earth guy but sadly has no big political backing like many other alleged big fixer cricketers !
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Apr 04, 2016 10:24pm
this shows the weakness of PCB. If trio of Pak team can play than why not Kaneria. PCB should take initiative for Kaneria and let himself to play cricket in the leagues.
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Apr 04, 2016 10:26pm
I feel for this talented man, but unfortunately like many others in thus he was playing on the wrong side of the pitch.
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Apr 04, 2016 10:48pm
He should be allowed to play
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Apr 04, 2016 11:42pm
Poor child ! I really feel for this boy ...
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Apr 04, 2016 11:47pm
@Omar Coz the Brit player is back playing, while PCB hasn't done the same for Danish. Obviously being a minority isn't helping his case. U cannot run away from that harsh reality. Minority players have no traction in a Muslim nation.
Having said that, he should come to India and play IPL. PCB can at least allow him that. If Azhar Mehmood can, why not Danish. He deserves to earn his livelihood. After all, he a just a 35 yr old boy. He must have family to support.
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Apr 04, 2016 11:48pm
I read about his travails and I felt pain in my heart.
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Apr 04, 2016 11:57pm
Looking at how Mohammad Aamer has been allowed back, Danish Kaneria should be allowed to play and pardoned.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:26am
Not guilty until proven plz alw him to play
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Apr 05, 2016 01:36am
I stand with you Kaneria.
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Apr 05, 2016 01:46am
I have personally spoken to this wonderful cricketer. When Md. Sami gets over his ban why can't Danish? I have heard his story and he did nothing wrong ! He is being ignored because he is a Hindu in a Muslim country !! He has his family and kids and now hardly able to meet all ends ! Just imagine has he taken any money would his condition been like this ? Isn't it shameful for the Pakistanis'?
Plz plz help this wonderful cricketer and more importantly an humble human being !
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Apr 05, 2016 02:31am
corrupt leaders can not help anyone!
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Apr 05, 2016 03:02am
There should not be a double standard.
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Apr 05, 2016 06:54am
Really??
Just let this poor guy off the hook already!!!
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Apr 05, 2016 08:26am
@ali Normally I would have agreed with you, but here it was not Pakistan or PCB that accused him and found him guilty. It is England. The alleged crime was committed in England and Pakistan has nothing to do with. I don't know if PCB can ignore the English cricket board and allow him to play in Pakistan
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Apr 05, 2016 10:31am
So sad. All this because he was a Hindu? Which team does that?
So give Kaneria a chance.
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Apr 05, 2016 11:03am
oh come on even in today world if terrorists lay down their weapon and want to live peacefully then even they can live normal life and earn their bread and butter for family with dignity . DK is not a killer he is just a player and how many politician in this world yet ruling their countries despite doing million of dollar scams. If Amir can play then why cannot this guy
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Apr 05, 2016 11:46am
I used to be proud of Kaneria - a Pakistani of Hindu faith who made it big. What a dissapontment he turned out where money was more important then honesty, fair play and respect for your fans and country.
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Apr 05, 2016 01:52pm
He should be pardoned.
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Apr 05, 2016 02:56pm
IF Mohammad Aamir can make comeback why not Danish...
God help our baised cricket board
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Apr 05, 2016 03:06pm
Danish an excellent cricker with bright future must remain part of team and will make big contributions.
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Apr 05, 2016 03:34pm
I still have his autograph great spinner he was.
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Apr 05, 2016 03:40pm
How to a English cricket board Ban a Pakistani Player to play cricket. even without proven.
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Apr 05, 2016 04:45pm
It is not a Pakistan decision, it is ECB and ECB was not fair with him. ECB has asked him to admit guilt before he can be heard. PCB as per the ICC rules has to follow the ruling of ECB.
The only evidence against him is the testimony of the English player who is now allowed to play. Its a mockery of justice.
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Apr 05, 2016 05:07pm
life ban is unjust
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Apr 06, 2016 03:05am
So the English court think its Fair for Mervyn to continue his cricket but Kaneria cannot simply because they think he lured Mervyn to fixing...and PCB is dancing according to the fancy of English court..I feel so sorry for the helpless Kaneria..
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Apr 06, 2016 03:55am
@Khwarezmi ...there is no evidence that he fixed a game or took money....your conclusions are based on his faith. Nothing more than that.
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