Former Pakistan international Danish Kaneria has admitted to spot-fixing despite denying that he had for six years.
The ECB charged Kaneira for “alleged breaches of anti-corruption directives” in April 2012, before giving him a lifetime ban from cricket, for pressuring Essex teammate Marvyn Westfield into conceding a 12 runs of an over during a one-day game against Durham in 2009.
Westfield was sent to prison for four months, serving two, and suspended from the game for five years for his part in the scandal.
Essex police are currently “reassessing the situation” following Kaneira’s about-turn.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Kaneira said: “My name is Danish Kaneria and I admit that I was guilty of the two charges brought against me by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2012.
“It’s been six years. I lost everything. I lost friends, respect from the fans.
“Mervyn used to tell me that he wants to become a rich cricketer,” Kaneria said.
Kaneira, who said that a period of bad health for his father influenced his thinking, added: “I was highly paid in Essex county cricket and I was an international player at that time. I was living a very lavish life, so he also wanted to make money.
“I want to apologise to Mervyn Westfield, my Essex team-mates, Essex Cricket Club, Pakistan and my fans around the world and to my wife and family – I have let them all down.
“If the ECB, ICC and other bodies would give me a second chance, I can help to educate young people in cricket and teach them that if you do wrong, you are finished, like me.”
