Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria
are unlikely to get immediate relief from Pakistan Cricket Board's
integrity committee and the duo might have to wait for some more time
before they could be considered for national selection again.
 The source also revealed that Malik had been trying to use his political connections to exert pressure on the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to close his case but so far nothing had materialised. © AFP |
The integrity committee at its hearing on Monday was not satisfied
with the explanations of the two players over the questions on their
integrity.
"Malik was given a 15-minute hearing, while Kaneria's hearing hardly lasted for 8-10 minutes," a source said.
In Malik's case, it is learnt that the chances of him getting cleared
immediately to play for Pakistan are slim, although he once again
pleaded his innocence before the integrity committee.
The former skipper also submitted documents to the board explaining
how he got an amount of 95,000 pounds in his bank account and where he
had spent it.
"Although there is sympathy for Malik amongst the integrity committee
members and the board because he avoided giving any controversial
statements, yet the committee is not satisfied enough to give him
clearance," a source said.
The source also revealed that Malik had been trying to use his
political connections to exert pressure on the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to
close his case but so far nothing had materialised.
"Malik will be eventually cleared but it will not happen soon," the source informed.
As far as Kaneria's case is concerned, the source said that the
leg-spinner seemed to have reached a dead end and there was a clear
deadlock between him and the integrity committee.
"Even at yesterday's (Monday) hearing Kaneria submitted a letter from
his lawyer stating that under certain British laws he could not make
available the transcripts or documents relating to his questioning by
Essex police in the spot-fixing investigation last year in England," the
source said.
"The committee members also asked him if he wished to say anything
more but Kaneria declined. The committee members observed that since the
bowler had gone to the High Court against the board, it would be better
to just wait and see what the court decides," he added.
The committee is still not satisfied that Kaneria has been cleared by
the Essex police in the spot-fixing investigation held last year in
England.
Kaneria had also filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, requesting
that the PCB be directed to consider him for national selection as he
has been cleared in the spot-fixing investigation.
The next hearing of the petition is on August 18 but the court had
told Kaneria to submit details of the questioning he was subjected to by
the Essex police last year.
"It will be interesting to see what the court rules but Kaneria has
not got the required transcripts or documents about his questioning. For
the moment, it appears his cricket career is on a long hold," the
source said.
Kaneria had his contract terminated by Essex last season after he had
come under investigation in a spot-fixing case, involving a Pro-40
match against Durham.
But the Essex police had cleared the 30-year-old, who in turn
submitted letters to the PCB from the ICC and his county team to prove
he was not under investigation.
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