ICC urges worldwide Kaneria ban

ICC board says domestic bodies should recognise and respect the sanctions. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE

KUALA LAMPUR: Cricket chiefs called for a global lifetime ban for Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria after he was punished for his role in an English spot-fixing scandal.

Kaneria was banned for life for his involvement in the Mervyn Westfield spot-fixing case. He has vowed to appeal the sanction.

Meanwhile, the ICC Board approved a few recommended regulation changes in its Annual Conference.

While the first Powerplays continue to exist in the first block of 10 overs, the batting Powerplay of five overs will still need to be completed before the start of the 41st over while the bowling Powerplay was done away with. Also, a maximum of four fielders will now be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the non-Powerplay overs as opposed to five.

The number of permitted short pitched balls will increase from one to two per over. There was also no objection to the introduction of Day-Night Test cricket dependent on the agreement of both participating teams.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2012.