Azhar still hopes to play for India again

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin hasn't given up the hope of playing for the country again. Affirming that he is still "crazy" about the game, he is firm in the belief that the "cruel and unfair" ban, for his alleged role in match-fixing, will be revoked.

Azharuddin, who was served a life ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing episode, feels hurt at not being able to play his 100th Test match because of, what he calls, an "arbitrary and biased" probe.

The former captain, who was in England for nearly three weeks recently, feels he was done in by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the BCCI's match-fixing inquiry commissioner K Madhavan.

"It will not be proper for me to make a comment on the subject. But right-minded people should look closely at the issue and make up their minds," he said.

The former ace allrounder, in his main petition, has questioned the appointment and method of inquiry by Madhavan, terming his probe, which formed the basis for initiating action against him, as 'malicious, illegal, arbitrary and biased' and sought the inquiry report to be treated as 'null and void'.

He also questioned the cricketing experience of the then BCCI president, A.C. Muthiah, saying, "He, being an industrialist, suffers from lack of experience or knowledge of the game".

Azhar did not want to dwell in public on his legal battle against the BCCI over his ban, as the matter is sub-judice, but wants right-thinking people to look at the issue deeply and arrive at their own conclusions.

The stylish batsman, meanwhile, is busy looking after his fitness and misses no opportunity to train at the Arshad Ayub Academy in Hyderabad.

"Cricket has been my life and I am still crazy about it. I train hard and people who know me say I am fitter than when I was playing cricket," said Azhar, as he pondered over his improbable return to the Indian side.

He is grateful to his family and those who have stood by him.

"I like to move on in life and be positive. I will only do what I can to the best of my ability," he said.

Despite being in England the last three weeks, he was unable to make it for any of the Indians' matches though he watched them on television. He was busy catching up with old friends, doing some charity work and even batting for a cricketer's cause.

"I made 25 or 30 in a charity game for a Middlesex player, Paul Weekes, the other day. But, primarily, I was here to seek professional opinion on the health club I am planning to open shortly in Hyderabad."

Azhar and his actress-wife Sangeeta have big plans for the health club, to go along with the Azhar-Sangeeta Management Services they have been operating for the last couple of years.

The health club is going to be opened right opposite the Banjara Hotel in Hyderabad. It will be spread over an area of 7,000 square feet and will have top class facilities like spa, beauty parlour and professional gymnasium, Azhar informed.

The last couple of weeks have seen past cricketers and come out in favour of Azhar. Even former BCCI chief Raj Singh Dungarpur and former India captain Kapil Dev voiced support for him.

"I think everyone owes Azharuddin an apology including the present Indian team," Dungarpur had said at a cricket seminar in London during the Lord's Test. The function was attended, among others, by Azhar.

Kapil Dev, after he was named Wisden's Indian cricketer of the century, praised Azharuddin a great deal during his acceptance speech.

Azharuddin, who was one of the nominees for the award, was reportedly asked by Wisden not to attend the function after sending him an invite.

Mohammad Anas Baqai, who has written Azhar's biography 'Azharuddin the Legend', which is due to be released shortly, said: "Azhar's innate strength is amazing. The recent controversies have only made his resolve stronger.

"In the last six months especially, Azhar has seen a ray of hope in winning his court battle and gone on an overdrive about his fitness and training, and goading his two sons, Asad (12) and Ayaz (10), to play cricket."

Mail Cricket Editor