Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin’s son, Mohammad Asaduddin has been roped in by Goa for playing the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy later this year. He is currently one of the ‘professional players’ in the side.
Goa has been known to rope in veteran cricketers in their squad from other states, but the selection of Asaduddin from Hyderabad was a bit unusual as he has never been able to play a Ranji Trophy match. The last time he played for a state team was in 2009 when he was a part of Hyderabad Colts XI in the Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup. In 2014, he shifted to Uttar Pradesh but was not given a chance in the playing eleven.
A few months ago, Asaduddin — who has been playing consistently for MP Colts in Hyderabad’s A-division league cricket (he featured for National Club last year) — approached the Goa Cricket Association (GCA). With the board has already excluded the senior cricketers from their squad, it responded to Asaduddin quickly.
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As quoted in Sportstar, the 28-year-old southpaw said, “I was part of the IPL auctions too but did not get picked. I was playing well on the local circuit and approached a few associations. That’s how it happened.”
The batsman attended the Anti-Corruption seminar organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the GCA headquarters on Tuesday. While the camps haven’t started yet, Asaduddin is looking forward to the big opportunity. He asserted, “I did not get an opportunity to play from Hyderabad. So, whoever gives me a chance, I will play. And with all sorts of problems in the HCA, I don’t see a chance.”
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This time, Goa has decided to bring in three professional cricketers. While Asaduddin and Karnataka batsman, Amit Verma, has been roped in, the board is still searching for a bowler.
Asaduddin says that his father is excited about his new assignment, he said, “My dad is really happy for me. This is a big opportunity for me. I will try to give my best in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.”
