Ex-Pak cricketers express disappointment over Kaneria ban

Karachi: Former Pakistan cricket legends have expressed disappointment over leg-spinner Danish Kaneria being given a life ban, but stressed the need for tougher action against fixing to avoid such incidents in the future.

The 31-year-old was banned for life from any cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after being found guilty of corruption by a disciplinary panel, reports the Daily Times. "I am disappointed, but not shocked. We are now accustomed (to) it. But it is high time now that we should think seriously about it and avoid such happenings in future," said former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail. Essex paceman Mervyn Westfield, who was jailed in February after admitting he had accepted 6,000 pounds to under-perform during a Pro40 match between Essex and Durham in 2009, had named Kaneria as the link between bookmakers and players. A statement issued by the ECB panel described Kaneria as "grave danger to the game of cricket" and branded him a "liar". "If he (Kaneria) was guilty then there should be no remorse or disappointment. Anyone involved and found guilty should be punished and the talks of forgiving players like Butt, Asif and Amir (is) wrong. In fact I would suggest that (the) assets of these players should also be checked," said former captain Rashid Latif. Former paceman Sarfraz Nawaz, however, termed Kaneria`s life ban as harsh. "A life ban is harsh, it should have been two to five years. This latest case has increased our responsibilities to avoid any such incident in the future," said Nawaz. Kaneria is the third Pakistani to be banned over fixing. Former captain Salim Malik and Ata-ur Rehman were banned for life after a Pakistani match-fixing inquiry in 2000. Rehman`s ban was overturned on appeal in 2003. Kaneria`s ban could all but signal the end of his career as most of cricket`s leading nations, including Pakistan, have signed up to a doctrine of the "mutual recognition of sanctions" put forward by the ICC in a bid to stamp out corruption. ANI