On Thursday, 12 years after he was banned by the BCCI, for match-fixing and involvement with bookies, destiny chose to smile on Mohammad Azharuddin again. The life ban imposed on the cricketer-turned politician in December 2000, was set aside by the AP High Court. A division bench comprising Justices Asuthosh Mohunta and G Krishna Mohan Reddy delivered the judgement, allowing the appeal filed by Azharuddin against BCCI’s ban as also a civil court’s approval of the ban order, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that the bench also set aside the ban preventing Azharuddin from playing any cricket match conducted or authorised by the ICC and BCCI.
“It further set aside the ban on a benefit match for the player. Azharuddin was prevented from not only playing a match, but wasn’t even allowed to enter any venue that was staging a match under the aegis of the ICC. The two judges were unanimous in their opinion that the BCCI went about condemning the cricketer without even giving him the opportunity to be heard. The board also failed to substantiate its claims of wrongdoing by Azharuddin with any credible evidence, the bench said,” says the report, adding that the match-fixing scandal came to light in April 2000, after the then South Africa captain Hansie Cronje claimed in his confession that Azharuddin had introduced him to bookies.
Meanwhile Hindustan Times reports that relief was palpable in Azhar's face on Thursday as he addressed a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence in the capital. “It was a long drawn out legal case and it was painful,” he said, adding, “We fought in the court for 11 years. There were lots of adjournments, changes. But finally the verdict has come and I am happy that the ban has been lifted by the court.”
Asked if he would take any legal action against the BCCI, he said, “I'm not going to take any legal action against any authority and I also don't want to blame anybody for this. It is about destiny and whatever had to happen has happened. I don't have any complaint.”
He said: “My conscience was clear and I was not happy with the ban. But I am a person who takes things positively. I am happy now and want to move on,” he said.
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Azharuddin, now a Congress MP from Moradabad, said he played the game honestly and was a relieved man as the court struck down the BCCI's ban as "illegal". "I have always played the game honestly and with command. Today I am a relieved man after what I have suffered for the last 12 years. I fought this battle for so long with patience. It has been a tough battle and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me during this difficult period," Azhar told reporters at his official residence.
As soon as the news broke out, party workers and fans burst crackers at his residence at Lodhi Garden. Amidst the huge media presence, party colleagues and fans came with bouquets to congratulate him. It was certainly early Diwali at C-1/12, Lodhi Garden.
But despite the celebrations, Azharuddin remembered his younger son Ayazuddin, who passed away last year in a road accident. "The last year has been very tough. Today I want to be happy with my elder son Abbas. I wish the judgment had come a bit early," he said.
Asked who all from the cricket fraternity supported him during the last 12 years, Azharuddin said: "I always got support from Raj Singh Dungarpur, Kapil paaji and Kamal Morarka."