Karachi, Aug 8 (IANS): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given the green signal to out-of-form leg spinner Danish Kaneria to play for his county team Essex in the Friends Provident t20 final.

Essex sought PCB's assurance of Kaneria's availability for the event's final Aug 14, after his omission from the national side following Pakistan's heavy loss against England in the first Test.

Kaneria had failed with the ball in the first test, taking only one wicket conceding 171 runs in his side's 354-run loss against the hosts at Nottingham.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari said the board has sent its reply confirming the leg spinner's availability for the county team.

"We have sent our reply to Essex giving permission to Danish Kaneria to play in the FP t20 finals", Bari said.

The confirmation means the Pakistani leg spinner will be seen in action alongside West Indies' all-rounder Dwayne Bravo in the semi-final against Hampshire. But the bowler will miss Pakistan's two-day practice match against Worcestershire starting Aug 13.

Kaneria was replaced by left-arm spinner Raza Hassan in the third Test to be played from Aug 18 at the Oval.