KARACHI : Leg spinner Danish Kaneria's hopes of playing for Pakistan were dealt a blow on Thursday when his appeal against the PCB's refusal to consider him for selection was dismissed by the Sindh High Court. The
Pakistan Cricket Board has not selected Kaneria since his involvement
in a spot-fixing investigation held in England last year which resulted
in his contract with English county side Essex being terminated. Kaneria
was questioned by Essex police over a Pro-40 match between Essex and
Durham in 2009, but was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, the PCB have
refused to consider him for international matches. "The
court has said that it does not have the jurisdiction to rule on our
petition. We have been told to seek redress from either the Lahore High
Court or go to the Supreme Court," Kaneria's lawyer Faroog Naseem said. Kaneria, who has taken 261 wickets in 61 tests, last appeared for Pakistan against England in Nottingham in 2010. "I
am disappointed over today's decision but I have still not given up my
fight to get clearance for national selection," Kaneria told reporters. "It has been a hard last one year for me and I still want this stigma cleared from my name." Kaneria
said he would consult his lawyer and decide whether to file a petition
in the Lahore High Court or appeal in the Supreme Court. (reuters)
