 Pakistan's leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria has been released by the Essex police
without any charges levied against him. Kaneria had been arrested by the Essex
police on charges of spot-fixing, and was questioned by them. He was not the only
cricketer to be arrested though, as his Essex team-mate, Mervyn Westfield was
also arrested, but both were let off after the questioning.
The issue was related to alleged spot-fixing that had happened during one domestic
Pro40 match last season. Kaneria and Westfield were arrested in May, but had
been earlier released on bail.
A police statement confirmed the release of a 29-year-old man from Chelmsford
"in connection with an investigation into cricket-match irregularities".
The statement also confirmed that there was another 22-year cricketer who was
released.
According to reports, the issue was surrounding the bowling of no-balls and
wides in a 40-over match between Essex and Durham last September.
Kaneria began the 2010 season as Essex's overseas player but later was called
upon by the Pakistani team to play in the series in Australia. However,
after playing rather miserably in the two Test matches against Australia and
one against England, he was dropped and replaced by Saeed Ajmal. He was then
allowed to get back to play for Essex to regain his form. Westfield has now
been released by the Essex county.
Spot-fixing has become the buzzword in recent times, as the trio of Mohammad
Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were involved in another such scandal
recently. According to an alleged book-maker in London, they were involved in
bowling no-balls in the game against England at the Lord's. The news came to
light when a sting operation was conducted by the News of the World newspaper
and exposed the same.
Currently, both Asif and Amir have been suspended from international cricket
and there is a case going on against them by ICC and the Scotland Yard.
Ejaz Butt, the Pakistani chairman, has also said that they had written
to the ICC on the behalf of the three players but the ICC had rejected the letters
saying that they wanted the three to write separate letters. Butt also said
that it was wrong on the part of the ICC to suspend them in the middle of an
investigation process that is still going on.
Pakistan plays England in a five ODI series that starts from Friday. Shahid Afridi will lead the Pakistani side.
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