Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Kaneria mocks PCB's 'zero-tolerance policy' after Akmal's ban halved

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria, who has been trying get his life ban for spot-fixing lifted, on Thursday (30) said PCB's decision to reduce Umar Akmal's suspension for failing to report corrupt approaches smacks of double standards.

The likes of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, who too were found guilty of spot-fixing like Kaneria, have been allowed back into the PCB fold. In fact, Amir is a regular member of the national team.


"You call it zero tolerance policy for corruption. Umar was proved guilty but still his ban has been halved. They showed compassion in his case. Amir, Asif, Salman too were allowed to come back, why leave me out?" he asked while talking to PTI.

"Why don't they show the same compassion in my case? They say I talk about my religion (he is a Hindu) but what do I say when the discrimination is crystal clear. I am just going by simple logic," he said from Karachi.

Independent adjudicator Faqir Mohammad Khokhar stated in his order on Tuesday that the case against Akmal was proved to the hilt but he reduced the sentence from three years to 18 months out of compassion.

"Umar has been involved in controversy for the major part of his career due to disciplinary issues. If there is sympathy for him, where is the same sympathy for me? Did he bribe someone to get this done?" asked Kaneria, who was banned by the ECB in 2012.

"They say I play the religion card. You tell me which Hindu player has played for Pakistan after me. No one. All these years they did not find one Hindu who was good enough. I find that hard to believe," said the 39-year-old, who is only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan.

Kaneria took 261 wickets in 61 Tests, the most by a spinner in Pakistan's cricket history.

In June, he had appealed to the PCB to lift the life ban imposed on him in 2013. However, the PCB responded by asking him to approach the ECB to get his ban revoked.

"Article 6.8 of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code, which is applicable in this case, clearly states only the chair of the anti-corruption tribunal, which has imposed a period of ineligibility on a player, had the discretion to permit the player to participate (in club or domestic cricket)," the PCB said earlier this month.

"As such, you are advised to approach the ECB as per Article 6.8 of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code," it said.

The PCB imposed the punishment on Kaneria after he lost an appeal on the life ban slapped by the ECB in 2012.

The leg-spinner was found guilty of spot-fixing alongside Mervyn Westfield while playing for English county Essex against Durham in 2009.

More For You

David Joseph

Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.

David Joseph named new CEO of the RSA

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.

Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Divides Critics, But Johansson Shines

Scarlett Johansson wins praise in Jurassic World Rebirth as reviews split over story and mutant dinosaurs

Instagram/jurassicworld

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ review roundup: Scarlett Johansson steals the show but critics call it “the worst Jurassic yet”

Quick highlights:

  • Jurassic World Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, releases on 4 July.
  • Twitter reactions praise the cast and visuals but criticise the film’s story and lack of emotional depth.
  • Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 54% from 95 reviews; Metacritic rates it 53.
  • Some fans applaud the Spielberg-style thrills, others feel it strays too far with mutant dinosaurs.

Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the iconic dinosaur saga, has sparked intense debate online ahead of its 4 July release. With Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey leading the cast, early Twitter reviews show a split audience, some impressed by the action and spectacle, others disappointed by the story’s direction and use of genetically altered dinosaurs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Raducanu Shines in Dominant Start to Wimbledon 2025 Campaign

Raducanu and Jack Draper are making most of the headlines

Getty Images

Raducanu begins Wimbledon campaign with confident win

Key points

  • Emma Raducanu defeated fellow Briton Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3 in the Wimbledon first round.
  • Xu, 17, was making her Grand Slam debut and appeared overwhelmed early on.
  • Raducanu dropped just three points on serve in the first set.
  • Despite a series of breaks in the second set, Raducanu regained control to seal victory.
  • She described the all-British clash as “difficult” but was pleased with the result.

  • The biggest home assault on Wimbledon for 41 years got off to a great start on Monday when Emma Raducanu triumphed in an all-British clash.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    wimbledon

    Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended

    Getty Images

    Wimbledon night session cut short as Fritz and Zverev matches suspended

    Key points

  • Fritz match suspended at 2–2
  • Zverev match halted overnight
  • Wimbledon curfew stops play
  • Both matches resume Tuesday
  • Top seeds face evening delay


  • Play was suspended for Fritz and Zverev after curfew. Taylor Fritz’s opening-round clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended on Monday evening with the score tied at two sets apiece. The match was halted just before 11 pm local time due to Wimbledon’s curfew regulations. Alexander Zverev’s match against Arthur Rinderknech, also level at two sets all, was similarly paused for the night. Both contests will resume on Tuesday.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Harry Styles

    Mystery woman kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury revealed as Ella Kenny

    Getty Images

    Who is Ella Kenny, the mystery woman seen kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury 2025?

    Quick highlights:

    • Harry Styles was seen kissing a woman at Glastonbury 2025 in a viral video

    Keep ReadingShow less