Thaindian News

Lahore, Jun.6 (ANI): The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made it clear that it was for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide whether to allow Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria to play for his home side during this summer’s Test series against England or not.

“As far as playing for Pakistan is concerned that is not the area of ECB and that is the concern of the International Cricket Council (ICC),” ECB’s media manager Andrew Walpole said while announcing that Kaneria is free to play for the English county Essex until proven guilty in the spot fixing charges.

Pakistan are due to embark on a three-month long tour later this month for a full fledged Test series against Australia and the hosts England, and Kaneria is likely to be included in the squad because of his impressive record in the longer version of the game.

Kaneria and his Essex teammate fast bowler Mervyn Westfield are under investigation for alleged match-fixing in a county match.

Walpole also rejected reports about the leggie being suspended by the Essex or the ECB from playing county cricket.

“The inquiry is going on and there is no case of Kaneria’s registration with Essex being suspended or him being suspended from playing county cricket,” The Daily Times quoted Walpole, as saying.

Walpole’s denial comes after some British newspaper claimed that both Kaneria and Westfield have received letters from the ECB informing that their contracts will remain suspended while investigations over their alleged role in match-fixing was on.

Both Kaneria and Westfield were questioned by Essex police at Brentwood police station last month for alleged irregularities during the Pro-40 League game against Durham last September. (ANI)