KARACHI: In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to give clearance to Danish Kaneria to join the national squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa and called him back when he was about to leave for the airport. The leg-spinner, taking part in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, was originally included in the squad and was one of five players joining the team in the UAE along with Mohammad Sami, Azhar Ali, Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Yousuf.
PCB avoids giving reason
The PCB Director Operations Zakir Khan said Kaneria was not cleared by the board and was removed from the squad. “Kaneria was not permitted by the board, I cannot comment on it or give any reason for decision,” said Khan.
Snubbed due to ICC instructions
While the PCB has remained quiet and refused to give any reason for the move, a board official said that the decision came following directives by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing in the last County season - a charge that he was cleared last month by Essex police.
“The ICC is not satisfied with the probe that cleared Kaneria from the County allegations and sees him as a doubtful character,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune.
“The ICC maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and it can stop any player from international cricket on the basis of doubts.”
The official said the PCB hadno options left but to drop Kaneria from the series.
“We have to strictly follow the ICC instructions otherwise Pakistan cricket can face huge problems,” added the official.
Three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - are already provisionally suspended on spot-fixing allegations as the ICC, hinting sanctions, warned the PCB to put its house in order.
Kaneria ‘hurt’ on omission
Kaneria said he was deeply hurt by the board’s decision as he was eagerly looking forward to the series.
“I was working very hard to regain form for the Tests. I am deeply hurt by the decision,” Kaneria told The Express Tribune.
The leg-spinner, who was also dropped from the England series due to poor performance, took 19 wickets in the two games of the ongoing domestic tournament.
“It’s embarrassing but I can’t comment more on the matter since I am a centrally-contracted player and will follow PCB orders in this regard,” said Kaneria while adding that he was not given a reason for the move.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2010.
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