Azharuddin: 'All is not well with the way HCA is run'

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin crticised the Hyderabad Cricket Association on many counts, including the non-implementation of the Justice Lodha reforms.

"The manner in which the [HCA] elections were held last time early this year was illegal,” said Mohammad Azharuddin.

Former India captain Mohmmad Azharuddin wants to gain a foothold in the Hyderabad Cricket Association before thinking of a bigger role in the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Azhar spoke about the alleged irregularities in the selection of Hyderabad teams for the Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup here on Saturday.

All is not well in the way HCA is run now, he said.

"They claim to have implemented the Justice Lodha panel recommendations. But, if that is the case, they should have resigned and sought fresh elections. The manner in which the elections were held last time early this year was illegal,” he said.

"It is apparent that they are continuing to hang on to their posts in an illegal manner. Just see there is no single representative from players panel either from men or women’s cricket in the Apex Council of HCA," he said.

"I don’t think we should give up hope despite this mess. As the game evolves, we too should for we are here because of the sport and our first priority should be the players and their welfare," he said.

"If you look at the selection panel of HCA, some of them don’t even meet the minimum qualification of having played 25 Ranji matches to be eligible for selector’s job," he said.

"Players who have not performed at all in the leagues are there in the Hyderabad teams. What is the message we are trying to send to the young talent?" Azhar questioned.

"Yes, I feel sad that those who played certain level of cricket for Hyderabad and holding key position in the BCCI have behaved in such a bad way when I am actually fighting for a cause and no international player is given the HCA membership with voting rights," he said.

"I don’t see the ruling group in HCA taking any corrective measures. However, I am confident of justice being meted out by the honourable Supreme Court as I have the highest regard for judiciary,” Azhar said.

“I also heard that the HCA officials have buried a communication from BCCI which actually suggested that I can contest the HCA elections. I hope I get hold of that letter," he said.

Azhar was barred in January this year on the grounds that he did not submit proper documents suggesting that the BCCI lifted the ban on him and that he was an eligible voter in the HCA.