Thaindian News

Karachi, May 4 (IANS) Pakistan’s discarded Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has sought the help of top authorities to get “justice” after being snubbed by the country’s cricket chiefs “without any reason”.

Kaneria, who is the most successful Pakistani spinner in Test history, has urged President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, to help him regain his place in the Test squad.

“I request both the president and chief justice of our country to look into my case and take action over it,” media reports cited Kaneria as saying.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and selection committee have been constantly ignoring me without any justification.”

While the PCB is yet to give a formal explanation for Kaneria’s omission from the national team, it is believed that he has been sidelined over spot-fixing suspicions.

Kaneria was arrested in England last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud alongside his Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield. The arrests were made following a police investigation into alleged spot-fixing in Essex’s Pro40 match against Durham in 2009.

But the leggie was later released on bail without being charged, whereas Westfield was charged after he was found guilty of committing the crime.

“I was cleared by the Essex Police, which is the important thing,” he said. “I’ve shown the letter by the Essex police that clears me of all charges and I don’t know what else to do.”

Kaneria, who is only the second Hindu player to represent Pakistan in Tests, hinted that he may be getting a raw deal because he comes from a minority group.

“I have always got good treatment in the past,” he said. “But now I feel disheartened and would also like to request Human Rights Commission and minority leaders to look into my case and provide justice to me.”

Meanwhile, former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has backed Kaneria.

While criticising Pakistan’s selection committee, Qadir said it should explain the choices made and not shy away from the media.

“I see many unjust decisions in the team selection,” said Qadir, who resigned as Pakistan’s chief selector in 2009. “Kaneria is an important part of the Test team and his snub should be explained.”