BOMBAY, 28 October 2006 — The move of the Board of Control for Cricket in India to honor Mohammed Azhardin along with all the past captains of India at a function to mark the occupation of its new premises, has brought the Indian Board in direct confrontation with the International Cricket Council.

The ICC feels strongly about banned players being accorded legitimacy again as they had joined hands with all those who faced the problem of match-fixing and recommended an international ban so that such players could not play in matches held under the aegis of the ICC as well as all the member countries.

It is just a small minority of officials of the present regime who want to include Azharuddin’s name in the list of former captains.

They are the same people who have preferred to confront the ICC on each and every issue.

Now, apart from ruffling the ICC feathers, these BCCI officials are also offending several state associations who do not want the life ban on tainted players to be lifted so easily and unilaterally.

If the BCCI goes ahead with extending an invitation to Azharuddin, then these associations might move court and have the decision declared unconstitutional. Their contention is that the ban was imposed on Azharuddin and other cricketers first by the Working Committee and then by the general body.

According to the BCCI constitution, a decision taken by the general body can be annulled only by the same body. In other words, it is only the general body that can lift the ban on the players. If a few officials decide on this matter then it will be an unconstitutional move.

Apart from these associations, the other cricketers who are also under a ban can move the court for clear discrimination. They can contend that an unfair favor has been shown to just one particular cricketer.

Besides, this move will also make a nonsense of the conclusions arrived at by the Central Bureau if Investigation (CBI).

As such any citizen of the country can file a public interest litigation against the action of the BCCI on unilaterally reversing a ban imposed on a cricketer found guilty of serious charges of match fixing.

At a time when the present regime of the BCCI has filed several suits against its former president for misappropriation of funds, they are flouting the legal and moral grounds of their own earlier action.