THE Test future of Pakistani leg spinner Danish Kaneria is in jeopardy following his arrest during a betting probe in England.
While Kaneria was released on bail until September 15 - meaning he is free to play and would be eligible for the series against Australia in July - Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Wasim Bari yesterday could not guarantee that Kaneria would be retained in the side.
''We have not received any documentation as yet, it would be unfair to make a comment until I know the full details,'' Bari said.
Kaneria, who played the last two Tests against Australia here last summer, is under investigation for alleged spot-fixing during an English domestic game last season.
The 29-year-old and Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield were arrested by police last week and questioned over accusations of fraud, namely betting on a game they were playing. It's understood the investigation centres around a Pro40 (England's 40-over competition) win against Durham in September last year. Spot-fixing relates to betting on small outcomes within a game, such as how many runs or extras will be conceded off a certain over.
Kaneria has denied any wrongdoing, saying after he was first linked to the case last month: ''The story is baseless. I have played my cricket for Pakistan as well as for Essex, with pride and honesty … For the last two years I have been Essex's best performer and have never done anything wrong.''
An Essex Police spokesman said at the weekend: ''Two men from Chelmsford have been arrested in connection with a police investigation into first-class domestic cricket match irregularities.
''The investigation began in March 2010 following allegations received about two Essex county cricket players. On Friday, 14 May, two men aged 22 and 29 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and both were released on police bail until Wednesday, 15 September pending further inquiries.''
Essex Cricket Club confirmed the two men were Kaneria and Westfield, a fast bowler.
International Cricket Council president David Morgan said his organisation remained vigilant over spot-fixing.
''Cricket is full of discreet events - overs of six balls, power plays, in first-class cricket the morning, the afternoon and the evening [sessions],'' Morgan told AFP. ''There are lots of these discreet events that attract people who gamble.
''What is very clear is that we are extremely vigilant. We have the anti-corruption and security unit. They look very carefully at movements in terms of the amounts bet on particular issues and so on.
''I think cricket is very fortunate in that we've had 10 years of operation of the anti-corruption and security unit.''
Australia play Pakistan in two Tests in England from July 13 and Kaneria would ordinarily be an automatic starter. He has played 58 Tests, taking 254 wickets at 34.27.
No comments:
Post a Comment