In an order passed by Justice V Eswaraiah, Ethics Officer and Ombudsman of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has told the state body to remove former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin's name from the North Pavillion Stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal.
A petition was filed by Lords Cricket Club to remove Azharuddin's name as the stand was named after him when he was HCA president.
"The fact that there has been no ratification/modification of the decision by the General Body further strengthens the case against the Respondent No. 1 (Azharuddin), as the Respondent No. 1 has exceeded his authority to benefit himself. In consequence of my findings, a clear case of conflict of interest is made out," Justice V Eswaraiah said in his 25-page verdict as per Cricbuzz.
Azharuddin's name won't even feature on the tickets. The 62-year-old has denied all allegations. He is sad to see the way he was he has been treated despite nearly two decades of service to the state as player and captain. He will challenge the decision in the High Court.
“There’s no conflict of interest in this. I don’t want to comment, I don’t want to stoop to this level. The cricketing world will laugh at the association. 17 years of cricket, almost 10 years as captain of the side, and with distinction. This is how you treat cricketers in Hyderabad. It’s a very sad state of affairs. We will go to the court, 100%. The law will take its course,” he told The Hindu.
Meanwhile, Lords Cricket Ground is happy with the decision.
This decision reinforces our commitment to transparency and integrity. We thank the authorities for their fair and just evaluation,” said Somna Misra, the club’s treasurer.
Azharuddin's international cricket numbers
Azharuddin has scored 6,215 runs in 99 Tests at an average of 45.03 and 9,378 runs from 334 ODis at an average of 36.92. He has 22 centuries in Tests and seven in the ODI format. He led India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs.