October 28, 2006	Saturday	Shawwal 4, 1427

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AHMEDABAD, Oct 27: Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, banned for life for his alleged role in match-fixing, hasn't applied to International Cricket Council (ICC) to have his ban lifted, its CEO Malcolm Speed said on Friday.

“No, he has not applied to the ICC so far,” Speed said. “But he may apply and he may not apply.”

Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs and led India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, was banned for life by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in December 2000 for his alleged role in match fixing.

BCCI banned Azharuddin, along with Ajay Sharma, on basis of internal inquiry led by K. Madhavan, retired director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following an independent report on match-fixing published by CBI.

It is perceived BCCI, then headed by A.C. Muthiah, acted in haste in banning two players for life besides banning two others – Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Jadeja – and then team physiotherapist Ali Irani for five years.

Prabhakar and Jadeja have completed their ban periods, while punishment had little effect on Irani as he continued to do his medical practice. Azhar later filed a suit against ban in Hyderabad, and case is still going on.

According to ICC rules for reinstating players banned for match fixing into the game, first step is that concerned player should write to ICC CEO making a formal request to have his ban rescinded.

CEO would then consider request and has absolute discretion to reinstate player if he was satisfied it was appropriate to do so.

In case of Azhar, if Speed is not sure of exercising his discretion he can request ICC's Code of Conduct commissioner Michael Beloff QC to constitute an official inquiry.—Agencies