Abdul Qadir slams PCB over Kaneria ban

Published January 28, 2016
“It’s Kaneria’s right to see the evidence which has led to his ban and the PCB should reopen his case,” Qadir says. — AFP/file
“It’s Kaneria’s right to see the evidence which has led to his ban and the PCB should reopen his case,” Qadir says. — AFP/file

Pakistan's legspin great Abdul Qadir slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for it's failure to present incriminating evidence in the Danish Kaneria spot-fixing case and termed the bowler's life ban 'baffling'.

A disciplinary panel of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) banned Kaneria for life in 2012 for 'luring' Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield in to conceding a set number of runs in exchange for money during a 2009 county match.

During the British proceedings against Kaneria, it was alleged that an Indian bookmaker named Anu Bhatt paid 6000 pounds to Westfield in a deal brokered by the Pakistan leg-spinner.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), possibly mindful of its reputation in the wake of a series of fixing scandals, also upheld the ECB's ban and urged Kaneria to end his legal battle and confess.

“England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had banned Kaneria and not the ICC. Then on what grounds has the PCB barred him from playing cricket? He earns for a living from the game,” Qadir said in an interview with APP.

“Danish did not commit any crime like Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt then why he is barred from playing cricket?” Qadir added while urging the PCB to make evidence in the Kaneria case public.

He bashed PCB for allowing Amir to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) before paving the way for his return to the national team while restricting Asif and Butt, who have also served their spot-fixing bans, from being eligible for selection.

“You cannot have two sets of rules for players when it comes to allowing them back into the national squad,” he said.

Qadir, who mastered wrist spin while it was a dying art during 1970s and 80s, said Kaneria should appeal against his ban to get justice from the board or through the court.

“PCB's treatment of Danish has made him feel like he is not a Pakistani; like he is from other country and religion,” said the 60-year-old.

“It’s Kaneria’s right to see the evidence which has led to his ban and the PCB should reopen his case.”

Kaneria, 35, has hunted down 261 batsmen in his 61 Test outings.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.