Karachi, May 18 (IANS) Bowler Danish Kaneria' plea to clear him of spot-fixing charges was rejected by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which maintained that the leg-spinner still needed a clearance certificate from his English county team Essex.

Kaneria, the only Hindu player in the Pakistan team, and his Essex team mate Mervyn Westfield were arrested by police in Essex last year on charges of alleged spot-fixing over a Pro-40 match in Durham in 2009.

They duo were suspected of bowling deliberate no-balls. Though Kaneria was released without any charge, Westfield was charged by Essex police.

Last week, Kaneria submitted a certificate from Essex police to the PCB but the board said it was not satisfied with the certificate.

The PCB consulted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and asked Kaneria to submit a "clearance certificate" from Essex.

Kaneria was also stopped by PCB from travelling to United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year for a Test series against South Africa.

Kaneria is the highest wicket-taking spinner for Pakistan in Tests. He has 261 wickets from 61 Tests and has also featured in 18 ODIs.