 Kaneria's presence would be a big boost for Essex's supporters |
Essex are seeking assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board that Danish Kaneria will be available to them for FP t20 finals day on 14 August. If so, they will de-register Australian leg-spinner Bryce McGain and bring back Kaneria, who is currently out of favour with the Pakistan selectors. And that would allow Kaneria to play alongside Dwayne Bravo in the big trophy semi-final against Hampshire. Counties are allowed two overseas players for the FP t20 competition. Essex spokesman Danny Macklin told BBC Sport: "We are still awaiting official confirmation of the situation from the Pakistan Cricket Board. "We want to make Danish available for finals day." McGain was hired as Kaneria's replacement when Pakistan began their Test series against Australia and England.  | 606: DEBATE |
But after their heavy defeat by England at Trent Bridge, Pakistan took the unusual step of pulling 29-year-old leg-spinner Kaneria, who has 261 Test wickets, out of their squad. On Wednesday, McGain started his second Championship match for Essex, against Warwickshire at Southend, as the club continued to bide their time before bringing back Kaneria. The involvement of Bravo, the West Indies all-rounder, remains limited to finals day itself. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail has been fiercely critical of the decision by the national selectors to axe Kaneria. "Pakistan cricket has become a basket case. You don't treat a player like Kaneria in this manner," he said. "If he was not performing, it was a failure of the coaching staff and casts doubt on their ability to help players."
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