Karachi: Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, the main suspect in the Essex betting scandal, has said he is confident of making his presence felt in the Pentangular Cup — Pakistan's domestic tournament — later this month.
Kaneria has been singled out by a section of the British media as the prime suspect in the Essex betting scandal. But the leg-spinner hoped that he would come out clean and will continue performing for his county team.
"The controversy has naturally affected me a lot but the more important thing is that I'm completely focused on playing my cricket," Kaneria was quoted as saying by The News yesterday.
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"I'm looking forward to play in the Pentangular Cup. It's a one-day tournament and I believe the event will provide me a perfect platform to prove my credentials as a useful bowler in limited-overs cricket," said Kaneria, who has never been happy with the tag of a specialist Test spinner.
"I want to play for Pakistan in all three formats and hope to do that soon. A good showing in the Pentangular Cup will help me get noticed [by the selectors]," said Kaneria, who is Pakistan's most successful Test spinner with 254 wickets from 58 matches.
Kaneria, 29, has been accused of being one of two Essex players at the centre of the investigation which is focusing on the county's Pro40 League victory over Durham last September. Fast bowler Mervyn Westfield is thought to be the other player involved in the scandal.
There have been reports that suggest Kaneria's future with Essex is in danger but the Karachi-based player is confident that he would soon be playing for his county in the forthcoming season as well.
"I'll be booking my seat for London soon after the end of the Pentangular Cup," said Kaneria. "I will be available to play for Essex," he added.
Kaneria was scheduled to reach London April 29 because the Pentangular Cup was supposed to conclude April 27 in Lahore. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has changed the event's schedule and it will now take place April 19-29 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Kaneria said that it's good news for him that he will be able to play the competition on home turf. "I'm very positive about the tournament and hope to do well in it."
