Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, disclosed on Tuesday that the 50- year- old former stylish batsman has agreed to coach the team in the domestic season beginning on October 27.
“I have spoken to Azharuddin and he has accepted it [the offer]. He is willing to train our boys,” Abdullah told Mail Today.
Azharuddin could not be reached for comment.
Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs between 1984 and 2000 and is still fit as a fiddle, hasn’t apparently signed a formal contract and when he eventually does that, it will mark his acceptance into the official cricket fraternity after the Andhra Pradesh High Court in November last year declared the match- fixing- related life ban illegal.
Abdullah, however, did not say whether Azharuddin would take up the responsibility on a full- time basis or part time. Since he is a member of Parliament, Azharuddin also has to attend Parliament sessions and that would clash with his new coaching assignment.
Jammu and Kashmir does not have a coach at the moment after Bishan Singh Bedi, who guided the state Ranji Trophy and Under- 22 state teams in the last two years, asked the association to relieve him with one year of his three- year contract remaining.
Azharuddin would be replacing the legendary left- arm spinner.
Azharuddin, a Member of Parliament from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency, has dabbled in coaching over the years. He coached an England Performance Programme squad in Chennai in December 2007 and had earlier given tips to England batsman Owais Shah, who termed that meeting a “turning point” in his career. Besides, he regularly coaches his elder son Asaduddin, an aspiring cricketer.
In his playing days Azharuddin was one of best fielders in the world and he retains the same fitness and is a regular at the gym.
Meanwhile, the announcement came as a surprise to officials of JK team.
“It is news for me as we have discussed nothing of this sort till now in any of the Association meeting. It is surprise development for me and all the other JKCA officials,” JKCA official said.
“After the releasing of Bedi as coach there has been speculation regarding appointment of new coach and Muhammad Azharuddin’s name also came up. If Dr Farooq has really confirmed this then it is big development and all should welcome it,” he added.
Another JKCA official said that instead of appointing high profile coach for JK team, Dr Farooq should focus on streamlining the affairs of JKCA itself.
“After the multi-crore scandal hit JKCA, the functioning of Association has been hampered. Instead of going on for to make high profile coach appointment I think JKCA President should focus on re-organisation of Association which include conduct of elections,” official said.
However one of the former General Secretary of JKCA said that Dr Farooq has been keen on to rope well known figure as chief coach of JK Cricket and it should not come up as surprise for anyone if has struck deal with Muhammad Azharuddin.
“From last five to six months, JKCA President has been making efforts to rope in Muhammad Azharuddin as JK team coach. However due to tragic accident of former national team skippers son the deal could not be finalised,” he said.
“It is also known fact that Dr Farooq takes important JKA decisions on his own and need not sanction from JKCA working committee. The committee only endorses his decisions later on,” he said.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/mchh5t2
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