Pakistan's leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who isfacing a permanent life ban from cricket and is presently suspended by the PCB,has sought time with the chairman of the board to make his position clear inthe spot-fixing allegations against him.
Sources in the board told PTI that Kaneria has recentlyreturned to the city from London to make final arrangements for his appealhearing, scheduled for December 10.
A disciplinary panel of the England and Wales Cricket Boardhad earlier imposed a life ban on Kaneria from playing in England for hisalleged role in spot-fixing in county matches while he was playing for Essex.
Kaneria has appealed the decision that will be heard by anindependent panel and if the appeal fails, the life ban on the legspinner willbe ratified, but the PCB will also be bound to ban him permanently.
"It is a hard situation for me and I am trying my bestto prepare well for the appeal because my lawyers feel I was not given a properhearing by the ECB panel," Kaneria said.
"We are confident about the appeal because we feel thesupposed evidence presented against me during the trial had manyloopholes," he said.
Kaneria is doing his best to meet with the PCB chief, ZakaAshraf to clarify his position.
"Yes, I want to meet him and clarify certain things. Ithink having served Pakistan cricket for so long I deserve this much," headded.
He pointed out that the board had also given time toMohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif who were both banned by the ICC and also facedjail sentences for their role in spot- fixing.
"I have not been convicted by any court as yet, the ECBhearing was a disciplinary one," he noted.
"I am worried about my case and I want to brief the PCBchairman about what has happened. Because my life and career are at stakenow."
Kaneria also denied media reports that he had met withIndian bookmaker, Anu Bhat several times after the ICC anti-corruption unitofficers had advised him and some other Pakistani players to stay away from theIndian because of his suspicious activities.
Bhat contacted me several times but I avoided meeting himhim even in England until I arrange for some tickets for a county match for himand give it to him in person. But I am not worried about these reports becauseall I have said about my relationship with Bhat is on record with the ECBpanel," he added.
"My hopes of getting my name cleared in this case havenot died down although the last few months have been very hard for me and myfamily. The appeal hearing should make lot of things very clear," hestated.