Cricket: Azhar calls for probe into 'fishy' NZ test

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, banned for life from playing cricket, is demanding a thorough investigation into the drawn third test between his country and New Zealand at Ahmedabad in 1999.

Azharuddin pointed to India's decision not to enforce a follow-on in that match when they had a lead of 275 runs in the first innings.

"Yes, it is very important that it be probed," he told the Delhi-based English language Outlook magazine, published yesterday, in his first interview since being suspended for life for match-fixing.

"It is a different matter that I did not play there, but something smells fishy."

Azharuddin is now fighting to overturn his life ban.

Under captain Sachin Tendulkar, the Indians, leading 1-0 in the three-test series in 1999, scored 583 in their first innings.

The New Zealanders replied with 308, 76 short of the follow-on target.

But Tendulkar decided to build on his lead, which puzzled Indian cricket followers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India banned Azharuddin, the 38-year-old former test captain, last month after an internal inquiry following a report by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the country's federal police authority.

Azharuddin was accused of fixing results and under-performing in return for money from bookmakers in England and India.

Azharuddin, who played 99 tests, said he still hoped to join the 100-test club soon future.

- NZPA