Azhar keeps fingers crossed on lifting of ban

Dubai, Oct 31 (UNI) With finally a glimmer of hope that the life ban on him might be lifted, former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is keeping his fingers crossed and is not ready for a premature celebration.

Azhar was here this weekend to attend the awards presentation for the second Ramadan Cricket Tournament. He was reluctant to discuss the matter, perhaps fearing it might jeopardise his return from the ban.

''The problem is being sorted out by the BCCI and the ICC. So it would not be right for me to comment,'' he said.

The stylish right-hander, however, was happy to be back in the field again and said, ''It feels good to be back here once again.'' Azhar had attended the opening of the InSportz here in 1997.

A veteran of 99 Test and 334 ODI matches, Azhar was India's most successful captain before Sourav Ganguly eclipsed him.

Indicted in the match-fixing scandal, Azhar was slapped a life ban but BCCI top brass recently admitted the feeling among certain quarters that the board was probably too harsh on him. BCCI decided to honour the former skipper on November 4.

The BCCI move, however, didn't amuse International Cricket Council and asserted only ICC would have the last say in the matter.

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