Miffed at controversy Azhar says he's not banned to play cricket

Karachi, Apr 23 (UNI) Serving a life ban imposed by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal, former India skipper Mohd Azharuddin rubbished the controversy over his selection in the veteran cricketers' team, saying that he was not disallowed to play the game.

''I don't need any permission from the BCCI or the ICC to play at this level. I am banned only from the matches governed by them. The Seniors cricket is a totally independent set up and I need nobody's sanction to play in these games,'' Azhar, who is leading India in the four-match series said in a news conference on the eve of the first match yesterday.

''I played in India against Pakistan seniors last year and I faced no problems at all. So why this match-fixing issue is being raised now,'' he asked.

A 99 Test and 334 ODI veteran, Azhar was banned by the BCCI in 2000 after the match-fixing scandal surfaced. His appeal against the ban is pending in the Hyderabad High Court.

''I am expecting the court to deliver a verdict in May this year,'' said Azhar, who last played in Pakistan in 1997.

He said he was feeling great being in Pakistan again and was looking forward to renew ties with some old friends.

''Since the ban, I have played in just a few charity games. I am looking forward to this contest.'' Former leg spinner Abdul Qadir, who is leading the Pakistan seniors, also said the match-fixing episode needed to be forgotten and buried now.

''I think it is a closed chapter now and we need to move on. The Justice Qayyum inquiry commission in this issue fined even our own players like, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq and they continued to play for the country. So what is the fuss about Azhar coming to Pakistan,'' he asked.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Seniors Cricket Board (PSCB) chairman Fawwad Ejaz clarified that Azhar was able to come to Pakistan only after approval for his visa was given by the relevant authorities.

UNI XC DH PR RK1340