Match fixer decides to become a politician...

by rey Thu 19 Feb 2009, 19:42

Spent the first half of his working life taking money from nefarious characters to throw cricket matches and will spend the second half.....errm serving the people - how nice.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/19/sports/CRI-India-Azharuddin.php

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 in 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 favor 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.

by mynah Thu 19 Feb 2009, 21:09

Seems like a logical progression...

by Batman Fri 20 Feb 2009, 07:54

Yup Mynah. Especially in India. And I am not surprised with the fact that Indian Congress has in it's ranks another shady and nefarious character. And this is the man who alleged harrasement on account of being a Muslim dring the investigations [after serving as India captain for 7 years]. So the man and the party both really have a lot in common. Anything goes for Muslim votes.....

I am all for giving people a second chance anywhere else but not in a position that is tied to a billion people's hopes.

by prodigy Fri 20 Feb 2009, 09:47

Fully agree with you Batman. His claim of being harrassed as he was a muslim was absolutely horrendous.

by mynah Fri 20 Feb 2009, 09:58

Funny how many people of various persuasions bring up religious beliefs when confronted by their dishonesty. Hardly an example for heathens and agnostics... Can be troublesome, though, if your particular religion doesn't have a devil conveniently at hand to blame.

by taipan Fri 20 Feb 2009, 10:01

mynah wrote:Funny how many people of various persuasions bring up religious beliefs when confronted by their dishonesty. Hardly an example for heathens and agnostics... Can be troublesome, though, if your particular religion doesn't have a devil conveniently at hand to blame.

Satan made me do it.

by Batman Fri 20 Feb 2009, 11:17

Hmmmmm. Azhar and Cronje both played the religion card when caught dealing with bookies. Hmmmmmmmmm, and they both also dealt with the same bookie too. Must have been the manual given to them.....