Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Mohammed Azharuddin on September 23 (Friday) said he was very disappointed over the stampede-like situation at the Gymkhana Ground here during the sale of tickets for the India-Australia T20 match on September 25 but said the association is not at fault in the unfortunate incident.
He refused to blame anybody and said he was very disappointed with what had happened.
"I don't want to blame anybody. Why should I blame anybody. Actually, I am very disappointed with what happened. My heart goes to the families. We are taking care of them," he told reporters here when asked whom he held responsible for the stampede-like situation on Thursday," he said.
"Whatever happened, from our Association, we are taking care of their medical expenses. If anything more we can do, we will definitely do. But, if you see what happened yesterday, it is not Hyderabad Cricket Association's fault," he added.
Asked what steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future, he said the tickets are sold by the association's ticket partner which has done a good job and that there is no confusion.
Referring to allegations about tickets being sold in black, he said police and the Association would take strict action if any such incident happens.
"When your selling the tickets online, how anybody can do from our side black I don't understand," he said, explaining the procedure involved in the process.
At least 20 people were injured as chaotic scenes were witnessed on September 22 (Thursday) at the Gymkhana ground in Hyderabad with hundreds of cricket lovers jostling to purchase tickets for the third T20I between India and Australia, which is scheduled to be played in the city on September 25 (Sunday). At least a few people, including women, felt uncomfortable following the pushing and shoving at the ground. Some of them had to be taken to hospital and their condition is safe, police said.
Hundreds of cricket lovers gathered at the ground to purchase tickets and the police had a tough time in managing the situation. Some cricket enthusiasts said they came to the ground early in the day to purchase tickets. In videos posted on social media, police personnel can be seen resorting to lathicharge to control the crowd. After police used force to regain control, a stampede-like situation erupted outside the ground with hundreds of people trying to escape.
(With PTI Inputs)
