Pakistan spinner Kaneria to appeal 'unfair' life ban

Insisting that he is innocent, Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said he will appeal against the "unfair" lifetime ban slapped on him by the England and Wales Cricket Board for his role in spot-fixing.

Kaneria said he was upset at the decision as he believed there was no evidence against him.

"They (ECB) don't have any proof against me. I don't know why they are saying this (grave danger to cricket, etc). I will definitely be doing an appeal," he told 'Sky Sports News'.

Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board banned Kaneria for his involvement in the Mervyn Westfield spot-fixing case.

Apart from Kaneria, the ECB also imposed a five-year ban on Westfield but he will be able to play in the final two years of his punishment.

"I'm very upset about this decision. For what reason they have convicted me I do not know," he said.

"It is a very, very unfair decision against me. I've come all the way from Pakistan to say the truth," he said.

He said he was an "honest man" and people trusted him.

"I've been playing cricket with passion and love. I have done nothing wrong," he said.

The ECB said Kaneria it regards Kaneria as a "grave danger to the game of cricket and we must take every appropriate step to protect our game from his corrupt activities."

"Accordingly, we are unanimously of the view that the only appropriate sanction in relation to both charges is one of suspension for life and that is the sanction we impose.

"This means from today Danish Kaneria is suspended from any involvement in the playing, organisation or administration of any cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB," the ECB said in a statement.

Both players were charged last month in the wake of Westfield's imprisonment.