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Azhar to address HCA corruption charges after Windies T20

November 28, 2019 20:28 IST

Mohammad Azharuddin

IMAGE: HCA president Mohammad Azharuddin will address alleged corruption charges against his governing body after hosting the December 6 T20 series opener between India and the West Indies.’ Photograph: PTI

Hyderabad Cricket Association chief Mohammad Azharuddin says he will address the alleged corruption charges against his governing body after hosting the December 6 T20 series opener between India and the West Indies.

 

India batsman Ambati Rayudu had recently accused the Hyderabad Cricket Association of "rampant corruption" and urged Azharuddin to "isolate himself from the seasoned crooks" and clean up the mess.

However, Azharuddin, who is gearing up to host the first T20 of the series on December 6, said he does not want to take the focus away from the match by talking about the issue related to corruption.

"Since this is a T20 game which we are holding, I don't want to take anything away from the game. I want you to report only on this game, focus on the T20 game," said the former India skipper.

"I am sure you must have come very well-prepared. After the sixth, if there is anything, we will have another press conference. I will address the other things which have been happening in the recent past."

The T20 match is Azharuddin's first assignment as an administrator after being elected HCA president in September.

"I think we are fully prepared. It's very a tough thing to hold a match. Since it's my first match as an administrator ... when I was playing, I used to play the game and go back home or go back to hotel. But this thing, it's is a different responsibility," he said.

Azharuddin said he is treating this match as his debut in the shortest format since he is from the pre-T20 era.

"Many butterflies. I could not play T20 at that time. It was not there. So, I take it as I play T20," the 56-year-old said.

"Playing cricket and being in the administration are two different things. Whatever little experience I have gained from playing cricket, I will put that into use," he said.

Mumbai and Hyderabad were originally scheduled to host the first and third T20 on December 6 and December 11 respectively but the BCCI decided to swap the venues.

As per the new schedule, Mumbai will host the third and final T20I on December 11, the second T20I will be held as per earlier schedule in Thiruvananthpuram on December 8, while Hyderabad will host the first on December 6.

BCCI vice-president John Manoj, who was also present, said a Mohammad Azharuddin stand will be put in place in the stadium.

"This is an event which we have been waiting for it and lot of people must be thinking why Azharuddin is missing. We made it possible. It was decided in the apex council (of HCA)."

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