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[Buzz]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/569411.html

Danish Kaneria has been banned for life from any cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB after being found guilty of corruption by a disciplinary panel in relation to the spot-fixing case involving Mervyn Westfield. Meanwhile, Westfield was also charged with bringing the game into disrepute to which he pleaded guilty and was given a five-year ban although will be allowed to play club cricket after three years.
Although Kaneria's punishment was handed out by the ECB it is expected to be upheld by boards around the world, including the PCB who will now complete their own integrity committee hearing, which means a likely end to his career.

In his ruling Gerard Elias QC said: "We regard Danish Kaneria as a grave danger to the game of cricket and we must take every appropriate step to protect our game from his corrupt activities."

Conclusions of ECB panel

• Danish Kaneria knew the activity which Anu Bhatt was engaged in
• Kaneria acted as a recruiter of spot fixers for Anu Bhatt
• That Kaneria approached a number of what he saw as potential targets at Essex
• Kaneria introduced Bhatt to Westfield with the intention that Westfield should be recruited into spot fixing
• Thereafter, Kaneria cajoled and pressurised Westfield into becoming involved, well knowing that he was young and vulnerable
• Kaneria was present at the meeting in Durham with Westfield and the two Asian men - one of whom was Anu Bhatt
  Kaneria was present when Westfield was paid out by the Asian men

[Tail Ender]

Good. Is he also facing a prison sentence too?

[Jaymo]

Can he still play cricket in Pakistan, or they looking at him also?

[tushar sehgal]

I think PCB always said Kaneria needed to provide documents from the investigation in UK, so if he is found guilty by ECB i would think PCB would do the same and ban him...but just like cricket, cricket boards are a funny thing...

I hope the ban is applied by PCB as well, and I hope they catch more of these scum...don't care what nation they belong to...

[Jaymo]

Yeah I agree, I think that anyone who has brought disgrace to cricket in this way should be banned.  Not good for the sport.

[PM7]

On SKY yesterday Kaneria claims that there was no evidence that he cheated.

[Buzz]

he hasn't been banned for cheating. he has been banned for encouraging and introducing young players into spot fixing and for lying to the inquest.

the character assessment of him by the inquest was very critical.

[FattusCattus]

Part of his response to the sentence was that the jury was bent, and that they were out to get him "because he was from Pakistan"

Pathetic!

[Tail Ender]

Indeed, it is pathetic. I really do grow tired of this "it's because I'm from X-place" excuse that stems from these hearings. What's his excuse for Westfield getting done?

Interesting quote from Pakistani journalist Osman Samiuddin that appeared in last year's Wisden: "In Pakistan, never underestimate the power of denial and the vividness of delusion which stems from it."

[PM7]

Osman Samiuddin is a brilliant journalist and I always enjoy reading his take on how cricket is run in Pakistan.