Danish Kaneria's father dies

Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria's father Parbha Shankar Kaneria died on Tuesday.

The loss comes at a difficult time for Kaneria, who, last week, lost his ECB disciplinary appeal against two corruption convictions. He was found guilty last year of inducing his former Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield to take part in spot-fixing and bringing the game into disrepute. Kaneria, however, could still have the length of his life ban from cricket reduced.

"I am devastated," Kaneria told AFP from London. "He was suffering from esophageal cancer which was diagnosed in January and his last rites will be held when I return home."

The PCB condoled the death of Kaneria's father. "The entire PCB family expresses their deepest sympathies to Mr. Danish Kaneria on this sad occasion," a board release said. "May the soul of the departed rest in eternal peace. May Allah Almighty give him and his family strength to bear this huge loss."