Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria on Sunday claimed that the bookie, who was involved in 2012 spot-fixing scandal in English county cricket, frequently visited Pakistan on PCB’s invitation and the national team players knew him. The 39-year-old Kaneria, involved in a spot-fixing case while playing county cricket in 2012.
“I have always been portrayed from the wrong angle. When people have the opportunity to speak the truth, they do not, they twist facts and tell. I am telling you the reality today. In my case, the people who introduced me to the person, who were they? My case is open to all,” Kaneria said on his Youtube channel.
“The entire Pakistan team knew that person (spot-fixer) and so did the officials. That person also kept coming to Pakistan on official tours. He was invited by the PCB. I never knew that person personally. I was introduced to him by stating that both of us belong to the same religion,” he added.
After the scandal, Kaneria’s Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield was imprisoned for two months at Belmarsh prison in London after he was found guilty of accepting USD 7,862 from an illegal bookmaker, Anu Bhatt, for giving away 12 runs in an over. Danish Kaneria was named the middle man in the scandal as he had introduced Westfield to Bhatt.
Read here: Australian Pace Bowler Peter Siddle Retires From International Cricket
“Why doesn’t anyone talk about this? Why don’t they speak the truth? I have played my entire cricket with utter honesty,” said Kaneria. “People who speak about fixing, they should read the charges that were labelled against me. I had accepted both the charges. I made a mistake but I didn’t sell my country. Here there are people who have sold their country and went to jail and then they are still welcomed to the team. I never sold my country for money,” he added.
He was clearly indicating to the PCB welcoming back speedster Mohammed Amir after he served jail for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal in England.
“I played for 10 years with determination and hard work. I didn’t make excuses that I have a back injury nor did I took early retirement. I used to bowl 30-40 overs in a day. My fingers used to bled, I gave blood to the cricket pitch but I didn’t give any chance to anyone to replace me,” he said. “I also played county cricket in all three formats and performed at the highest level but here I have been labelled only as a Test cricketer.”
“To those who are saying I did this for cheap fame and for my Youtube channel, I want to remind them that I did not do it, Shoaib Akhtar spoke about discrimination against me on national television,” he concluded.
