Kaneria cleared but Faysal Bank match probe continues

Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, has been cleared by the panel appointed to investigate allegations of foul play in the Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 match between Karachi Zebras and Peshawar Panthers in Rawalpindi. The panel will continue its probe into the game, but Kaneria has been given a clean chit.

A two-member committee comprising Karachi City Cricket Association's secretary Ejaz Faruqi and senior cricket writer Qamar Ahmed said Kaneria was not involved in any sort of wrongdoing. Karachi's Kaneria faced investigation after his surprise move to withdraw from the bowling attack after four deliveries of his first over against Peshawar.

Kaneria had said he had suffered a side strain that forced him to stop bowling during the match. After its inquiry, the committee was satisfied with Kaneria's reason. "A medical certificate presented to the committee from a specialist also confirmed his explanation," the committee said in a statement.

Despite fielding a weakened XI, Peshawar reached the semi-finals by beating Karachi by 31 runs after making 158, their highest total of the tournament.