Kaneria to challenge his life ban in London commercial court

Tainted Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has filed an appeal in a commercial court in London against the life ban imposed on him for spot-fixing in county matches.

Kaneria through his lawyers filed an appeal in the commercial court on Wednesday against the life ban imposed by a disciplinary panel of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"I have filed the appeal in the commercial court because I want my case to be heard by an independent panel and the proceedings to be held open to public," Kaneria said.

He said the decision to file the appeal came after consulting his lawyers in the UK as the commercial court deals with complex cases arising out of business disputes, both national and international.

"I feel I have not got justice from the ECB disciplinary and appeal panel. They didn't listen to my case fairly," he said.

The leg-spinner, who was banned for life last year, has also got the backing of former skipper Rashid Latif, who blew the whistle on the menace of match-fixing in Pakistan cricket in 1994.

Latif has written to ECB chief executive, David Collier pointing out that they were several anomalies not only from legal angle but also on the merit of the case itself.

"After going through all the bundles there are many anomalies arising not only from legal angle but also the merit of the case itself. Apart from Mervyn Wesfield testimony the hard evidences seems quite flimsy.

"Furthermore, Westfield's contrasting statements right from the police interviews, before Crown Court probation officer are overwhelmingly confusing and suspicious itself," Latif wrote.

Latif also wrote that the documents of the entire case suggested that the ECB has influenced or tried to use its good offices wherever required, which may be very critical in the outcome of the decisions or the sanctions imposed on Kaneria.

"However, looking at the entire documents of Kaneria and ECB, it may be suggested that some very important points needs full-fledged media attention before Kaneria files appeal or takes any other legal path, as he feels that very serious injustice has been done jeopardising his life and family situation," Latif said.

Image: Danish Kaneria

Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images