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Azhar apologises for using 'minority' word

Mohammad Azharuddin today tendered a qualified apology for his statement, that he is "being victimised and targeted" because he is from the minority community.

After former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje alleged before the King Commission of Inquiry that the ex-India captain had introduced him to a bookie on the tour of India in 1996, Azhar had, in interviews to television and print media, said: "Mainly because I belong to the minority community, I am being victimised and targeted, especially by some ex-cricketers who have a personal grudge against me."

The remarks evoked sharp criticism and were deplored by the Central Government, Muslim intellectuals, the media and cricket-loving public, who pointed out that Azhar had forgotten that he was made captain of the national team despite belonging to a minority community.

Azhar's brief statement from Hyderabad said: "From the media reports, I find that the sentiments of the people have been hurt for my uttering the minority community word. I have been quoted in the wrong context. This was never to defend myself from any inquiry or investigation. It was purely a reaction to the adverse remarks singled out against me for the past many months. I apologise if I have hurt anybody's feelings."

PTI