The other day I read that Azharuddin and his wife Sangeeta have started some company in Hyderabad. The very first thing that comes to my mind whenever I read or hear about Mohammed Azharuddin is match fixing. For me, “Azhar” name has become synonymous with “Match Fixing”.
I find it very surprising when I hear people still supporting Azhar and his deeds. Why does the media still give him coverage?
A few people say that it is just not possible for a single person to influence the result of a cricket match. When Star News asked Harsha Bhogle this question, whether a single player can influence the result of a match or not he said that the “CAPTAIN” of a team can certainly influence it, and gave an instance of a match between India and Sri Lanka. It was found later on that this match was fixed and India was supposed to lose. Ironically Azhar top scored in this match. His individual score was somewhere in 80’s; however at the time of fielding the field placement and the handling of bowlers by the captain (Azhar) made the target just too easy for the Sri Lankans.
There are others who argue that he (Azhar) has been the most successful captain of India. I would like to ask these people, how could they be sure that the matches he won as a captain weren’t fixed! He probably fixed the maximum matches so is the most successful captain!
In the very beginning of this match fixing scandal when enquiries were still going on, Hansie Conije (the South African captain) said that Azharuddin had introduced him to a bookie. Reacting to this allegation Azhar said that Conije was unnecessarily trying to drag him into this controversy. When this trick did not seem to work he even went to the extent of saying that since he is a Muslim, he is being framed! Fortunately, the sports minister objected to this and Azhar had to publicly apologize for saying such a thing. Well Mr. Azhar you can say anything and try everything, you have brought your downfall form being worshipped as a cricketing genius to the being the captain that fixed matches.
Even after being proven guilty, Azhar hasn’t quite admitted his crime. Just because there isn’t any law for punishing people who fix matches, Azhar has successfully gotten away with just a life ban on playing cricket.
Was Azhar earning less when he was playing for the nation? Added to this income, Azhar was also endorsing a lot of products and earning quite a lot of money from commercials also. Inspite of earning so well, he fixed matches. So its just GREED for more money that made him do this.
Well I feel Azhar is a real disgrace to the nation. I really hope that this incident had brought about the end of matching and we can enjoy good clean cricket.