“Is it because I am from Karachi?” Kaneria asks ‘torturous’ PCB

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

-Photo by AFP

KARACHI: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria hit out Tuesday against another court-room delay putting back his bid to revive an international career embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal.

A court on Tuesday again adjourned his appeal against the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) failure to clear him of fixing allegations. The new date set for the hearing in Sindh High Court in Karachi is October 20.

Kaneria and fellow Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested last year on charges of spot-fixing during a Pro40 one-day match against Durham in 2009.

Kaneria was later released without charge but Westfield faces criminal proceedings, prompting the PCB not to clear Kaneria for national selection.

“I am frustrated at the delay which has kept me from playing,” Kaneria told AFP.

“I don't know why the PCB is delaying the case.”

Kaneria said there was no proof against him.

“When there is no proof against me why is the PCB not clearing me? It's mental torture. Is it because I am from Karachi or because I have a different religion?” said Kaneria.

PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the board would now write to Britain's Crown Prosecution Service with Kaniera's consent to ask for details of the British investigation.

“Kaneria was arrested so there were allegations against him and the PCB wants the transcript or the tapes of the investigation,” Rizvi told AFP.

Kaneria, who has chalked up 61 Tests and 18 one-days for Pakistan, has not played internationally since being dropped on tour in England last year.

The court delay means Kaneria will not be able to feature in Pakistan's three-Test series against Sri Lanka next month to be played in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan also play five one-day and a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka.

Despite an international ban, Kaneria is allowed to play at home. He is leading a Karachi side in the ongoing Twenty20 tournament in Karachi.?

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

US thrash Paraguay in LA to launch home FIFA World Cup in style

Bruised Brazil face Morocco in World Cup heavyweight opener

Guler leads Turkiye back to World Cup promised land in Australia opener

Jaweed Niaz

Sep 27, 2011 05:23pm

I don't know about "Karachi" or "religion"; I do know that Kaneria used to be called a match winner. For the last few years, I don't recall his having done that. Does not really merit selection.

Recommend 0

Muhammad Tahir Jamal

Sep 27, 2011 05:25pm

I am with Kaneria. Justice should be done at the earliest.

Recommend 0

malik

Sep 27, 2011 06:38pm

I agree with Mr Jawad Niaz,let Kaneria play within the country and prove his worth.

Recommend 0

Tahir Amjad

Sep 27, 2011 07:02pm

Rubbish ,,,,ridiculous...dont bring ethnicity or relegion into it.just perform well and wait for your turn

Recommend 0

Ali

Sep 27, 2011 07:27pm

Whether he deserves selection is a separate discussion, however, he should receive speedy justice.

Recommend 0

Sep 27, 2011 08:31pm

Kaneria'a only religion should be Pakistani. Why is he trying to play the Religious Card? Do we have less issues with many religious issues here?

Recommend 0

Naeem Husain

Sep 27, 2011 09:43pm

Kaneria is a world class spin bowler nd has done great service to Pakistan cricket. Due to unfortunate situation he is now on the side line. What Kaneria need to do is to keep performing well and abstain himself making unnecessary comments which has no meaning. Pakistan is for every Pakistani regardless their faith and religion. The white color in the FLAG is the proof. We know that the PCB is run by bunch of incompetents. All Kaneria has to do is to be patient and provide the board what they are requiring. Pakistan need players like Kaneria 's calibur his record speaks for himself.I am sure he will get another chance. And I wish him the BEST OF LUCK!

Recommend 0

Mustafa

Sep 27, 2011 10:43pm

PCB must clean out of this. If they tried to delay Kaneria's clearance without and solid reason/proof then PCB must compensate Kaneria. PCB should show him the respect he deserves.

Recommend 0

Md Shabih Eqbal

Sep 27, 2011 11:24pm

What ever it is pcb should clear the things wether they are intrested in kaneria or not.Kaneria is a match winner but he cannot win every match for pakistan.The patience of Kaneria has crossed the limits.It is hilarious for pcb that a player is so frustated that he is compelled to talk about his religion."SHAME".

Recommend 0

Chaigram

Sep 28, 2011 01:10am

The issue is that if justice is delayed ithan justice denied. The religion or from Karachi is a voice of despair.PCB should be ashamed to delay the career of a very promising cricketer. This the tragedy of Pakistan cricket.

Recommend 0

Riaz

Sep 28, 2011 02:35am

Why is Danish Kaneria being treated so badly by PCB. I know they have no disregard for most of it's players. But Danish coming from a minority community needs more support. As muslim it is always a matter of principle to look after it's minority community members. It personally gave me great happiness to him play well for Pakistan and I thought he always tried his best. I urge all from cricketing fraternity to help Danish Kaneria over his impasse with PCB. Riaz Uk

Recommend 0

Bob

Sep 28, 2011 05:23am

Danish, the fact is that it is too late for you..Even if you were cleared,there is no chance to get back to ODI's for you..Tests maybe but not for too long..U r just prolonging the inevitable and trying to score because you are a minority religion but you have been in the test side for quite a while!! Learn from others when its time to call quits and yours was long due!!

Recommend 0

Zia

Sep 28, 2011 10:36am

Yes you are from Karachi........ and as per history you have to go extra miles to be in the team........ Wish you good luck.........

Recommend 0

Qasim

Sep 28, 2011 10:56am

I am really shocked to see these comments from Kaneria. He is using his area and religion cards now. No you are not allowed because PCB asked for proof of your exoneration through report. You never provided that and now is court is asking that. We dont want cheats to play in our team and ruin countries name. Lets admit it he is no Shane Warne or Murli. We have over abundance (Raza Hassan, Yasir Shah) of youngsters who are performing better than him. Our current lot (Hafeez, Saeed and Rehman) are way better than him

Recommend 0

umair

Sep 28, 2011 11:29am

why Religion.... i think Mr kaneria forgot that he played almost every test match in inzi team .... i would advice to Mr kaneria don't involve religion in cricket because current PCB doesn't know about cricket as well as religion .

Recommend 0

Vaseem Siddiqi

Sep 28, 2011 11:31am

Kaneria and Mohammed Yusuf are two Pakistani players who are not being treated fairly by PCB. Their inclusion, provided they are fit and in form, would make Pakistan test team STRONG and I would like to see both playing in the test series against Sri Lanka. My XI for the test would be: 1. Hafeez, 2. Tauseef / Farath, 3. Azhar, 4. Yonuis, 5. Yousuf, 6. Misbah, 7. Umar / Adnan (w/k), 8. Wahab, 9. Gul, 10. Ajmal, 11. Kaneria.

Recommend 0

Tashfeen Qayyum

Sep 28, 2011 11:53am

If there is no case he should be allowed to play and available for selection. Karachi and religion should not be involved as he has to perform to be included and performance should always be the criteria and nothing else. Regarding recent performance, I agree that has not been very high class but the opportunities have also been sporadic, to remain in form a player needs regular matches to maintain the levels.

Recommend 0

Salim

Sep 28, 2011 12:25pm

Selection is a different matter altogether. First, Kaneria should get justice by clearing his name to play international cricket. PCB is just doing bad without any solid basis again him. If now PCB is ready to write to British authorities about its queries, why they didn’t do it before. It is just tactic to delay the justice further.

Recommend 0

Sajid

Sep 28, 2011 12:56pm

I am with Kaneria for sure. However PCB has asked for police transcript and tapes since day one and he has not done that.. He should have spent all that time trying to get those..

Recommend 0

Zeeshan Rana

Sep 28, 2011 02:55pm

I have all my sympathies with Kineria the player! Having said that let us not be optimistic about the PCB. They have never been just with anyone but the culprits. But if we talk about the player's recent form I don't think that it warrants him a chance in our national squad any ways. As far as religion or Karachi is concerned it is absolute nonsense. Such a comment from a mellow guy Kineria is nothing but sheer desperation.

Recommend 0

Salim

Sep 28, 2011 05:03pm

PCB has been asking Kaneria from day 1 to produce police transcripts and Kaneria's request for the same was turned down by British Police. Now, the difference is that PCB's lawyer is now saying that PCB will write to them to get it. My point was, why PCB didn't write to them when many months back Kaneria informed PCB that police has declined his request.

Recommend 0

Noman

Sep 28, 2011 07:47pm

but this is the truth. How many players from Karachi do you see playing in Punjab XI

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.