The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled life ban on former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is unsustainable in law.

A Division Bench of the court comprising Justice Ashutosh Mohanta and Justice Krishna Mohan Reddy set aside a decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposing a life ban on the cricketer on charges of match-fixing.

For the 49-year-old Azharuddin, now a Member of Parliament from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh, this removes a major stigma he has been carrying on his name.

The court lifted the ban following a petition made against the order of BCCI in 2000. The cricket’s governing body had imposed a life ban on the allegations that he was involved in match fixing.

In a career spanning close to two decades, nearly 15 years in the international cricket, Azharuddin dazzled with his majestic strokeplay. He was known for silken drives and majestic onside game, marked with deft flicks.

His wristy game saw him make one of the finest debuts any cricketer would ever have. He started his career with three centuries on trot against the visiting English team and since then there was no looking back till he was stumped by the BCCI decision in 2000.

For those who had seen him play at local grounds as a youngster, and within no time making it to the big league with a bang, and following this up by becoming the country’s cricket captain, the ban on him was shocking. From a cricketer known for his graceful play, he had fallen from grace.

During his stint, he played 99 tests scoring 6216 runs with 22 centuries. He played 334 one day internationals scoring 9378 runs.

>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics