Kaneria, who filed the petition in the SHC seeking the court’s help in persuading the cricket board to choose him for the national squad, said the decision was not based on merit.
“I was hopeful and was looking forward to the court doing the right thing here,” said Kaneria, whose petition was dismissed on technical ground of jurisdiction. “But I’m highly disappointed and in my opinion this decision is not based on merit at all.”
The leg-spinner has not been selected for Pakistan since October last year after he was questioned by the Essex Police in a spot-fixing case during a Pro40 match in England where teammate Mervyn Westfield was also charged.
While Westfield faces a criminal investigation, Kaneria was released without any charges but the PCB has kept him on the sidelines, seeking proof of his innocence in the case.
Following continued omission, Kaneria filed a petition in the SHC, challenging the PCB Integrity Committee’s decision.
Kaneria said the SHC’s decision was not fair. “The tapes, which were asked for, are unreachable as the British police directed us not to share it with any third party since Westfield’s trial is starting from January,” he added.
Kaneria to consult lawyers
The leg-break bowler, Pakistan’s leading wicket-taking spinner in Tests, said he will consult his lawyers to chalk out his future strategy. Kaneria hoped to meet the PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf soon. “I will decide my due course of action after consulting my lawyers. It is a lot of mental stress and I am losing valuable time.
“I have not gotten a chance to meet him [PCB chairman] yet but since I am here in Lahore, I am looking forward to meeting him,” added Kaneria, who played his last Test against hosts England last year.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (5)
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@LALA Jee... Wahab Riaz is a Muslim and he is dropped as well due to match fixing allegations. So pls dun spread hatred here...
@Lala Jie
Dont bring religion into this. Although I agree Kaneria should be playing, but his ouster from the team did not occur immediately after he was implicated in the spot fixing scandal. He kept on playing in the England tour, till he was dropped due to bad form. Thereafter the PCB is avoiding him till the heat dies down.
Now as far as the ruling is concerned, Kaneria is right in complaining that SHC took so long just to decide that it has no jurisdiction over the matter.
@Lala Jie: =(
ohh man.. how can a Hindu bowler be included in Pakistan's team? Common Kaneria, you better relocate to India. We are "Islamic Republic of Pakistan", and here it is only Muslim players who have the freedom to get involved in match/spot fixing and get away with it.
hope to see him in pak colors soon.