Azhar could've played more: Mohammad Azizzuddin

Former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin’s father, 87-year-old Mohammad Azizzuddin, believes that his son could have played 100 and more Tests for the country.

Azizzuddin tells DC, “We feel sorry for our son who had to remain at 99 Tests. He was banned for life due to the match-fixing charges, otherwise he could have played many more Tests.” “We were confidant about his innocence... we kept telling him to have faith in Allah and were relieved when the court exonerated him.”

The parents have seen their son go through his worst phases in life. “The match-fixing charges, divorce etc., were his destiny which nobody could help,” says Azizzudin, adding, “We were disturbed when he had to face these in his life.”

Azharuddin took his father to watch the premier show of his biopic Azhar. “Yes, theek hai movie. Whatever happened in his life is shown,” says the father. “In the movie Azhar was inspired by his nana (mother’s father) to be a cricketer.

In real life, it was his mamu who asked him to take up the game. As a grandfather I used to inspire Azhar’s son, Asaduddin, to follow his father’s footsteps, but now he has entered the film industry.” Azhar’s mother Sultana, 77, and father stay with their younger son, Baliguddin.

Baliguddin says, “Our parents wake up early in morning to offer prayers and read the Quran. Our mother is fond of reading books. She is a BA graduate from Women’s college Koti, Hyderabad. Our dad is a cricket fan and doesn’t sleep before the completion of matches on TV.”