Ajay Sharma denies allegations

Delhi captain Ajay Sharma announced on Thursday in London that he was innocent and he had nothing to do with the ongoing match fixing scandal as reported by an Indian magazine. Ajay Sharma, a former Indian cricketer, was reacting to a Delhi-based publication's detailed reports of the calls Sharma allegedly made to former skipper Mohammed Azharuddin during the recent South African tour of India. The magazine had also alleged that he may have connections with bookies.

Speaking to an Indian web site from Lancashire, Sharma said ``I am prepared to declare my assets and stand any scrutiny to clear my name,'' and added "I have come to England to play professional cricket contrary to the report that I am running away from the law.

"I only have one flat at Vasant Kunj in Delhi and am a regular income tax payee as a deputy manager in the Central Warehousing Commission. My friendship with Azhar dates back to 1987. We are thick pals. We used to share rooms. I gave him a cricket bat in 1992 when he had a lean patch. Soon after, he came back with a big 100 in the Calcutta Test. Azhar is very superstitious and since then he insists that I should get bats for him. Is it a crime to get along with ex-colleagues?" he asked.