ECB bans Danish Kaneria for life, former Pak leg-spinner says he is innocent

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was given a life ban from English cricket on Friday for his involvement in the Mervyn Westfield spot-fixing case, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.  Westfield was given a five-year ban, although he will be able to play club cricket in the final two years of his suspension, says a report in The Times Of India.

In a statement an ECB disciplinary panel said: “We regard Danish Kaneria as a grave danger to the game of cricket and we must take every appropriate step to protect our game from his corrupt activities. Accordingly, we are... of the view that the only appropriate sanction in relation to both charges is one of suspension for life and that is the sanction we impose.

“This means from today Danish Kaneria is suspended from any involvement in the playing, organisation or administration of any cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB.” The panel, in an earlier statement on Friday, labelled Kaneria a “liar”.

Meanwhile, insisting that he is innocent, Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said he will appeal against the "unfair" lifetime ban slapped on him by the England and Wales Cricket Board for his role in spot-fixing, says a report in The Indian Express.

Kaneria said he was upset at the decision as he believed there was no evidence against him.
"They (ECB) don't have any proof against me. I don't know why they are saying this ("grave danger to cricket", etc). I will definitely be doing an appeal," he told 'Sky Sports News'.

Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board banned Kaneria for his involvement in the Mervyn Westfield spot-fixing case.

"I'm very upset about this decision. For what reason they have convicted me I do not know," he said.