Azhar's presence in Dambulla raises eyebrows

Mohammad Azharuddin's presence at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium as an accredited media representative of Aaj Tak, an Indian news channel, has raised eyebrows in media circles. Azharuddin is serving a life ban from the Board of Control for Cricket in India for his alleged involvement with bookmakers in fixing matches.

Azharuddin was spotted sitting in the grandstand just in front of the media box, using his mobile phone to file updates.

G Krishnan, the executive director of the TV Today network, confirmed that Azharuddin was doing work for Aaj Tak, and said, "His involvement in match-fixing is alleged. What has the fact that someone is alleged to have done something got to do with his commenting on a cricket match? He is not playing. Just being accused of something does not mean much. People are ministers in this country while they are accused of greater crimes. The point is they are not convicted. You have to be reasonable to everybody. Till you find someone guilty he is innocent."

Asked whether the fact that Azharuddin was banned for life made a difference, Krishnan replied, "The ban is another thing. The personresponsible for the school that burned down in Tamil Nadu yesterday was removed from his position. Does that mean he was responsible for the fire? I don't think I or anyone else has a right to make a judgment on a person till the courts make a decision."

According to Ray Illangakoon, Sri Lanka's media manager, "Sri Lanka Cricket has no problem giving Mr Azharuddin accreditation as a media journalist as he has not been banned by the ICC."

The ICC, meanwhile, made it clear that it would not stop any cricketer from working in the media as a reporter, columnist or commentator. "We regulate accreditation for ICC tournaments and ensure anyone connected or found suspicious of corruption isn't allowed access to restricted area," Jon Long, an ICC spokesman, was quoted as saying in an Associated Press report. "But the ICC doesn't necessarily approve accreditation at all matches."

Wasim Akram, who was fined 300,000 Pakistan rupees and censured for his alleged involvement in match-fixing, is also in Sri Lanka commentating on the series for ESPN-Star Sports, and has been working in the media for some time now. He has always denied any involvement in match-fixing.