Zero tolerance policy only applies on me and not on others: Danish Kaneria lashes out at PCB

Pakistan has always been a tough opponent in the field. They have been also highly unpredictable with their game many times. Pakistan cricket stays in the limelight due to the continuous match-fixing charges on its players year after year. Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt, Umar Akmal, Sharjeel Khan have all been part of the big list of punished players of the Pakistan team due to match-fixing or failing to report on time.

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria also features in this fixing list. He last represented the national side in 2010. In the same year, he was handed a lifetime ban from the game for his involvement in the 2009 spot-fixing scandal in England’s county cricket.

Danish Kaneria lashes out PCB for playing religion-based politics

On Wednesday, Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to reduce Umar Akmal’s three-year ban to 18 months. This decision has affected Kaneria in a bad taste and he has condemned this decision very strongly. The former spinner has expressed his displeasure by claiming that his plea is being ignored continuously due to background and religion. Kaneria is only the second Hindu ever to have played the game for Pakistan.

The former Pakistan player has appealed against his ban more often. Responding to the 39-year-old earlier this month, PCB asked him to appeal to ECB as he was banned first by the England board.

He though expressed his displeasure on the reduction of Umar Akmal’s ban by tweeting, “Zero Tolerance policy only applies on Danish Kaneria, not on others, can anybody answer the reason why I get life ban, not others, Are policy applies only on cast, colour and powerful background. I am Hindu and proud of it that’s my background and my dharma.”

Akmal’s ban reduction may have surprised many as he had earlier accepted being approached by the bookies ahead of the PSL which was to be held this year. Also Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan clearly stated that he neither showed any remorse nor he sought any apology for his actions. Therefore, PCB banned him for three years.

Umar Akmal remains unhappy with the decision

Umar Akmal though is still unhappy with PCB reducing his ban and not lifting it up completely and is planning to challenge the board’s decision in the near future.

“I am thankful to the judge for listening to my lawyers properly. I will decide about the remaining sentence and try to get it reduced further. For now, I am not satisfied and will consult my lawyers and family on how to take this ahead. There are many players before me who made mistakes and just look at what they got and what I got. So all I say right now is thank you very much,” he said as quoted by TOI.

According to PCB, Akmal will be allowed to make a comeback to competitive cricket in October 2021.