Azharuddin Suspended By Hyderabad Cricket, Former Captain Calls It 'Vendetta'

Mohammed Azharuddin denied leaving office saying that the Apex Council meeting cannot happen 'without the president'. The former captain retaliated calling the HCA officers 'tainted'.

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cricket Association's (HCA) Apex Council 'unanimously' decided to remove Mohammed Azharuddin - India's former captain - from the post of President of HCA. The decision was taken after due to pending cases against him. But even after that, Azharuddin continues to be the president of the HCA. 

The apex council, in a meeting, had observed that Azhar was associated with a private cricket club in Dubai that participates in a T10 cricket tournament. This tournament is outside the realm of BCCI. 

The council also issued a show-cause notice to the formerly elected president.  “After considering the complaints made by the members against you (Mohd. Azharuddin), it was decided at the Apex Council meeting on the 10th of this month to issue a show-cause notice on the ground that you have acted in violation of the rules. The Apex Council is suspending you and your membership of HCA is being terminated until completion of the inquiry on these complaints," the showcase notice read.

The notice also claims that Azharuddin did not inform the HCA about his association with the Dubai-based league. Mohammed Azharuddin is a mentor to a team in the T10 cricket league. 

'I am in Control': Azhar

The former captain has continued being the president even after the decision by the apex council. Mohammed Azharuddin said that he has the support of the BCCI. “The president (Sourav Ganguly) had asked me whether the CEO Suneel Kante had my concurrence, I said no," Azharuddin said at a press conference. 

“I will not be cowed down by these tactics. In fact, they are tainted officials. The HCA constitution says that without the president, they cannot hold any Apex Council meeting. I’m in control of the association as I’m the constitutional head. I have informed the BCCI on the present developments,’’ said Azharuddin at a press conference in Hyderabad on Thursday.