Delhi: The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) Lokpal and former Acting Chief Justice V Ishwariah passed an order, directed to remove the name of former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin from the North Pavilion Stand of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. It has also been said in the order that Azharuddin’s name should not be printed on any ticket from now on.
The matter has been related to the year 2019, when Azharuddin was the President of HCA. In the meeting of the Apex Council held on 25 November 2019, which was chaired by Azharuddin himself, it was decided to name the North Stand ‘Azharuddin Stand’. This stand was earlier known as ‘VVS Laxman Pavilion’.
On February 28 this year, the city’s cricket organization ‘Lord’s Cricket Club’ (LCC), which is one of the 226 members of HCA, filed a complaint against the decision. The complaint said that the name of the stand after Azharuddin is a violation of HCA’s Memorandum of Association and rules. The club argued that according to Rule 38, no member of the Apex Council can take a decision in his favor.
Azharuddin, however, denied all the allegations, stating that there is no conflict of interest in it and he will turn to the High Court to challenge the order of the Lokpal.
He told The Hindu, “There is no conflict of interest in it. I do not want to comment on it, I do not want to fall to this level. The cricket world will laugh at this association. 17 years played cricket, captained the team for about 10 years, and that too with respect. With respect. Cricketers in Hyderabad are in such a way that it is very sad, we will go to the law.”
At the same time, Lord’s Cricket Club expressed satisfaction over this decision. Club treasurer Somna Mishra said,
“This decision strengthens our commitment to transparency and honesty. We thank the authorities for fair and justified evaluation.”