Cricket
Azharuddin turns to politics
2009-02-19 15:37
New Delhi - Serving a life ban from cricket on match-fixing charges, India's former cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin on Thursday joined the country's governing Congress party.
"Azharuddin has joined the Congress today," said senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily.
Azharuddin, who captained India in three one-day international World Cups, scored 6,215 runs in 99 tests and 9,378 runs in 334 one-day internationals in a career spanning 15 years.
"I'll strive to do my best for the party, like I've done on the cricket field," the 45-year-old Azharuddin told reporters in New Delhi.
In 2000, Azharuddin was banned for life from cricket by the Indian board for fixing matches and performances to favour illegal bookmakers.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) ban came after the Central Bureau of Investigation named him among those involved in fixing matches.
Azharuddin has challenged the findings, and is fighting his suspension in court.