Mohammad Azharuddin, former India captain and the man at the center of Indian cricket’s most stunning controversy, is in the news again. In case you missed it, the biopic titled ‘Azhar’ is set to hit screens on Friday, 13 May and in the lead up to the release, the cricketer-turned-politician has been seen on television, discussing IPL action. He has made multiple appearances in the official broadcaster’s show titled ‘Extra Innings.’
Former Netherlands/Australia cricketer Dirk Nannes, who made his name in the IPL playing for Chennai Super Kings, has taken to Twitter to rip apart the idea of having a man who has once handed a life ban to discuss cricket.
In a series of tweets, Nannes, who is currently an analyst with ESPNCricinfo, took on not just Azharuddin’s appearance on the show but also the ‘royal’ treatment given to him.
Why is a confessed match fixer welcomed on a cricket show and treated like royalty? How is that even possible?
— Dirk Nannes (@dirk_nannes) May 11, 2016
.@ashwin91 The ban itself was declared illegal, he was never found not guilty! NEVER cleared. He confessed – FACT: https://t.co/JShsusqhhc
— Dirk Nannes (@dirk_nannes) May 11, 2016
.@im_afsi He was NEVER cleared. His punishment was declared illegal, and the ban lifted rather than found innocent. https://t.co/uLGnuEePz5
— Dirk Nannes (@dirk_nannes) May 11, 2016
.@ImRaviS009 You want truth? Read the report: https://t.co/iWwZtltOmY
— Dirk Nannes (@dirk_nannes) May 11, 2016
For the sake of clarity, it is worth pointing out that Azharuddin never publicly confessed to being a part of the match-fixing scandal.
Whatever be the case, there is no denying the fact that Azhar’s movie is getting the publicity that the filmmakers won’t mind one bit.