The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Trip down memory lane for Azhar

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Trip down memory lane for Azhar

V.V. Subrahmanyam

State Bank of India, his former employers, felicitate the former India captain

‘Bank gave me a job when nothing was on hand’
Azhar recalls SBI’s contribution to Indian cricket

NEW ROLE: Former Indian cricket captain and Congress MP Mohd. Azharuddin being felicitated by R. K. Sharma, CGM (Hyderabad Circle), SBI, in Hyderabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: Mohd. Azharuddin, former Indian cricket captain and now Member of Parliament from Moradabad, went nostalgic on the premises of State Bank of India where it all began for him in the world of cricket.

The occasion was the felicitation function put up by the SBI in recognition of Azhar’s contribution to the sport and on beginning a second innings as an MP.

Wonderful memories

“It feels great to be back on the premises where I always shared some wonderful memories. Let me remind here that my grandfather never wanted me to leave SBI (where he was a top-level officer) stressing that it was this bank which gave me a job when nothing was on hand when I began my career,” Azhar recalled.

“History of Indian cricket cannot be complete without a reference to the contribution of SBI for many of the illustrious names were on the rolls of the bank in the days when there was no big money. Such was the support the bank,” he said.

‘A passion’

The stylish cricketer reiterated that it took him 22 years to play for the country and just about six months to become an MP. “Cricket is my passion and I love to be associated with anything related to the game,” Azhar said.

R. K. Sharma, Chief General Manager (Hyderabad Circle), SBI, said it was always a pleasure to see Azhar in action and meet him off the field. “Not many sportspersons of his calibre and who achieved so much in the game could be so affable,” he remarked.

“It is a privilege for the SBI to honour such an outstanding personality who is now all set to begin a new chapter in his career as a politician,” he said.

Azhar also released an IT bulletin of the SBI on the occasion.

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