Only BCCI can save me: Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who is serving a life ban, has said that as he is surviving on his last savings and only BCCI can save his career and life.

Kaneria is facing life ban from cricket after he was found guilty of spot-fixing while playing for English club Essex. He has appealed thrice against the ban but it was turned down every time.

“Only BCCI can save me. Anurag Thakur [the board’s secretary] should consider my case and urge Shashank Manohar [the board’s president] to speak to the ICC. Lift the ban, help me get a honorable exit. It will save me, my life, and whatever cricket is left in me,” the leggie stated according to a report in Mid-day.

“I am living on my last savings. I do not know how long I will survive. I can even teach young Indians the art of spin, can’t I? Why can’t they call me? I am one of them. Everything else has dried up for me in Pakistan; I seem to have no takers for my appeals from the PCB. I am dying.”

Kaneria made comparisons to Mohammed Amir, who was also found guilty of spot-fixing. According to him the fast bowler was given a second chance by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because he admitted his guilt.

“The Scotland Yard found no evidence on me, the ECB reacted on the basis of confessions made by one cricketer. Look at the way PCB has handled Mohammad Amir’s case. What about me? Isn’t that unfair?” Kaneria added.

Anu Bhatt, a business tycoon based from India, was involved in illegal cricket betting and had invited a few Pakistan cricketers including Kaneria to his place for dinner during Pakistan’s 2007 tour. Reports said that the cricketers were presented with expensive gifts there. ICC Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) sent out a warning to Kaneria following the incident, which was ignored by the player and he introduced English cricketer Westfield to Bhatt. Westfield too part in a spot-fixing case later, and the exchange of money for the same took place in Kaneria’s car in presence of Bhatt.

Westfield was handed a four-month imprisonment but the incident more vividly affected Kaneria’s career. “They blamed me for everything, I was out of the national selection but still played domestic cricket in Pakistan.” England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) accused him for being the influence and banned him for life.