Will appeal against life-ban when Sourav Ganguly becomes ICC chief: Danish Kaneria

Danish Kaneria, the former Pakistan leg-spinner, said that he will like to appeal against his life-ban when Sourav Ganguly becomes the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Earlier, Graeme Smith, the retired South African cricketer, also backed Ganguly to become the chief of the apex cricket board. As far as Kaneria is concerned, he was meted out with the ban back in 2012.

Back in 2009, he played for Essex and was involved in the unfortunate incident along with teammate, Mervyn Westfield. The latter was sent to jail after the Pakistan leggie accused him of spot-fixing. Kaneria, who last played competitive cricket in March 2012, is confident that the ICC will be helping him out when Ganguly joins the board.

“Yes, I will appeal (to Ganguly) and I’m sure ICC will help me out in every way possible,” the 39-year-old Kaneria was quoted as saying by India TV. Kaneria had denied the charges initially, but confessed to the wrongdoing in 2018.

Ganguly has led India quite well: Danish Kaneria

Kaneria, who had played against Ganguly in international cricket, said that there’s no one better suited for the ICC president’s role than the former Indian skipper.

“Sourav Ganguly has been an excellent cricketer. He understands the nuances. There is no better candidate than him for the ICC president’s role,” Kaneria said.

Last year, Ganguly took over the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has been lauded for his efforts in cricket administration.

“Ganguly has led India quite well and after that MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have carried on. He is currently the BCCI president and I believe he can take cricket forward when he becomes ICC chief,” he added.

Ganguly’s term as the BCCI president ends in July provided the Supreme Court doesn’t give an extension. In the meantime, there are reports of him, replacing Shashank Manohar as the next ICC president.

Kaneria finished his Test career with 261 wickets with his last game coming against England in 2010. He is also Pakistan’s fourth highest wicket-taker in the format after Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan. The Karachi-born also played 18 ODIs, picking 15 wickets.