Danish Kaneria admits to spot-fixing

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has admitted to spot-fixing after six years of denying the accusations.

Leg spinner Kaneria, who unsuccessfully appealed against a life ban from playing in England and Wales, told Al Jazeera he "cannot live a life with lies".

The 37-year-old has also apologised to former Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield, who was sent to jail for four months after Kaneria encouraged him to spot-fix.

He said: "I want to apologise to Mervyn Westfield, my Essex team-mates, Essex Cricket Club and the fans, to Pakistan and my fans around the world. And to my wife and family - I have let them all down."

Kaneria, who took 261 Test wickets during his career for Pakistan, claimed the ill-health of his father around the time of the spot-fixing scandal had been an influence.

He added: "His health was getting worse and worse. I didn't have the courage to face him and tell him that I had done wrong. He was so proud of me and it would have caused him a lot of suffering."