Kolkata: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin whose nomination for the post of the president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) was rejected by the returning officer K Rajiv Reddy, has moved the Hyderabad High Court against the decision, according to a report in The Indian Express.
Azhar had earlier filed his nomination which was rejected on the ground that the HCA had received no notification from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) whether it had lifted its life ban on the tainted cricketer or not. Incidentally, the BCCI imposed a life ban on the former Indian captain after his name cropped up in the match-fixing scandal in 2000. Though Azhar got a relief from the Andhra Pradesh High Court that called the ban illegal in 2012, the BCCI is yet to officially rescind the ban.
As a result, the returning officer had to cancel his nomination which angered Azhar. However, it is confusing as to why the BCCI hasn’t taken a call on Azhar’s life ban all these years. Under the current circumstances with the Supreme Court taking control over the BCCI affairs, it also looks quite unlikely that Azhar will get a respite.
But it would also be interesting to note what verdict the Hyderabad High Court gives. The stylish batsman who was known for his wrist work has been a controversial figure in Indian cricket, post the match-fixing allegations. Despite being one of most successful skippers for India, current and former players (including some of his former teammates) have kept a distance from Azhar over the years. After the ban, Azhar has even tried his luck in politics even entering the Lok Sabha from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh on a Congress ticket in 2009.
So eventful has been his life, that even Bollywood couldn’t refrain from making his biopic Azhar (2016), which unfortunately bombed at the box-office. And, now the Hyderabadi’s ambition to be an administrator has been jolted. But it remains to be seen, whether the country’s judiciary comes to his rescue or not. But as of now, Azhar’s career as an administrator is at jeopardy though.