New Delhi: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, who was a happy and relieved man after the Andhra Pradesh High Court set aside the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI, on Thursday welcomed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to invite the Pakistani cricket team to play in India and said that games like cricket connecting both sides should not be seen politically.
"In 2004, our relationships had become warmer due to regular cricket between both countries. We can't move forward if we will see it politically," added Azharuddin.
The BCCI has invited Pakistan to play three one-dayers and two Twenty20 matches in December-January, the first bilateral contests between the arch-rivals in five years.
Azhar, who is now a Member of Parliament, said that though it was a long drawn out legal case which was quite painful for him, he didn’t intend to take legal action against the Indian cricket board.
“I am not going to take any legal action against any authority and I don't want to blame anybody for this also. It is about destiny and whatever had to happen has happened. I don't have any complaint," Azhar said.
The Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad said he would not like to blame anyone for whatever happened to him and would like to move on with his life. "We fought in the court for 11 years. There were lots of adjournments, changes in the case. But finally the verdict has come and I am happy that the ban has been lifted by the court," Azharuddin told during a press conference at his residence, adding that his conscience was clear during all these years of struggle.
On being asked if the ban was illegal, Azharuddin said it was illegal and that’s the reason why the HC has lifted the ban. “But I don't want to say much about this. I have said whatever I wanted to say at the court through my counsel. My conscience was clear and I was not happy by the ban. But I am the person to take things positively. I am happy now and want to move on," said the former captain who ended his Test career at 99 matches because of the ban.
Terming the decision to be important for him, Azharuddin said he had clear his name in front of the eyes of the people of his constituency in Moradabad. "It was important for me to clear my name as I am representing the people of Moradabad. I am happy now in front of them," said the Congress MP.
He said that he would be happy if he gives back to the game whatever he had learnt in his career. "I want to give back to the game and I want to share the experience I have gained in my career to a youngster.It could in the capacity of a coach or administrator, anything that is possible," he said.
Asked about the India-Pakistan limited-over series in December, Azharuddin said, "It's a welcome development and we should encourage cricket ties between the two countries."
The ban was imposed in 2000 by BCCI as per the suggestion of a three-member committee comprising its erstwhile president A C Muthaiah and two vice-presidents Kamal Morarka and K M Ram Prasad in the wake of allegations of match-fixing against Azharuddin.
A bench of justices Ashutosh Mohanta and Krishna Mohan Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court gave relief to Azharuddin, allowing his appeal challenging the order of a local court, which had upheld the decision of the BCCI.
The bench lifted the ban agreeing with Azharuddin's counsel K Ramakant Reddy's argument that there was no evidence against the former cricketer that he succumbed to any pressure while playing cricket.
The High Court observed that BCCI had proceeded against Azharuddin unilaterally and the order of the trial court was unsustainable.
In a career spanning about 15 years, Azharuddin, known for his stylish batting, played 99 Test matches and 334 ODIs.
By Indian Sports News Network