Clearing the air over Danish Kaneria's reported suspension from county cricket over his alleged involvement in spot fixing, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said that the leg-spinner is free to play for Essex until proven guilty.
Kaneria and his Essex teammate, fast bowler Mervyn Westfield are under investigation for alleged match fixing in a county match.
But ECB media manager Andrew Walpole said that the investigation into the matter is on and Kaneria had not been suspended either by Essex or the ECB from playing county cricket.
"The inquiry is going on and there is no case of Kaneria's registration with Essex being suspended or him being suspended from playing county cricket," Walpole told the Geo Super channel.
Walpole's rebuttal came after some English papers reported that both Kaneria and Westfield have received letters from the ECB, informing them that their registrations will be suspended while the investigation is on.
"The inquiry is a matter for Essex and being carried out by them and not the ECB," Walpole clarified.
Asked about reports that Kaneria would require clearance from the ECB to play for Pakistan in England this summer, Walpole said, "As far as playing for Pakistan is concerned that is not the area of ECB and that is the concern of ICC (International Cricket Council)."
{{/usCountry}}Asked about reports that Kaneria would require clearance from the ECB to play for Pakistan in England this summer, Walpole said, "As far as playing for Pakistan is concerned that is not the area of ECB and that is the concern of ICC (International Cricket Council)."
{{/usCountry}}Kaneria and Westfield were last month questioned by Essex police at Brentwood police station for alleged irregularities during the Pro-40 League game against Durham last September.
Pakistan is due to embark on a three-month long England tour later this month for a full fledged Test series against Australia and the hosts, and Kaneria is tipped to make the squad because of his impressive record in the longer version of the game.