ED summoned Mohammad Azharuddin in a corruption case involving HCA

Former Indian cricket player Mohammad Azharuddin has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to a money laundering allegation involving the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The former captain of India is accused of embezzling money while he presided over the association as its president.

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad will receive an allocation of INR 20 crore to upgrade its amenities. Purchasing canopies, firefighting equipment, and diesel generators were among the chores that required the use of the cash.

Azharuddin is scheduled to appear before the ED on Thursday, October 3, after being charged with money laundering. The ED wants to know if the 61-year-old used the INR 20 crore monies wisely when he was employed at the HCA.

But in an interview, Azharuddin—who is also a prominent member of the Indian National Congress (INC)—denied the accusations, branding them as “false” and politically driven. The Hyderabad-born person claimed, “This is just a stunt pulled by my rivals to ruin my reputation.”

Hyderabad’s government and BCCI are in talks to build a new cricket stadium.

Even if Azharuddin’s news is disheartening, there is currently some optimism in Hyderabad cricket. For those who don’t know, the state government intends to build a brand-new stadium for international cricket outside of the city.

In the assembly, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy disclosed that negotiations with the BCCI are underway and that a sizeable INR 321 crore from the state budget for 2024–25 would go towards sports.

Interestingly, since Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been using the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium for their home games, this move may provide them with a new venue. IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad were victorious in 2016 thanks to David Warner’s wise coaching.

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They had a great opportunity to win their second championship after Pat Cummins’ innovative style of cricketing in the IPL 2024. They fell short in the decisive top match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), nevertheless, and were unable to overcome the last obstacle.