Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin accepted the invitation from the Indian cricket board BCCI for the Indian cricket team’s historic 500th Test match against New Zealand at Green Park, Kanpur.
A life ban was imposed on Mohammad Azharuddin for his alleged involvement in match-fixing when the scandal first broke out in 2000. However, Azhar was acquitted by the court, the BCCI has so far avoided inviting him for official events.
Asked about Azhar being extended the invitation, senior BCCI functionary Rajeev Shukla said that he saw nothing wrong in it.
“He is also a former India captain,” Shukla said.
Meanwhile, former captains like Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Krishnamachari Srikkanth have also accepted the invitation of BCCI and will be present during the Test at the Green Park.
“Sachin, Vengsarkar, Srikkanth, and Azhar have confirmed that they would come for felicitation. Ajit Wadekar has informed the board that he is not keeping well and won’t be able to attend,” UPCA secretary Shukla told PTI on Friday.
A specially minted silver coin with 500th Test embossed on it being prepared for the toss.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is currently playing a tour game against Mumbai Ranji team at DDCA.
New Zealand declared scoring 324 runs losing seven wickets against while Mumbai team is currently batting on 88 for 1.
The three-Test series will resume on September 27. The series will be played at Kanpur, Kolkata, and Indore respectively.