Azhar aims reverse sweep at Navjot Sidhu

NEW DELHI - Once a cricketer always a cricketer: That’s what the former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin proved in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, taking a leaf from the slam-bang T20 version of the game to direct a reverse sweep at his former team mate Navjot Sidhu.

Delivering his maiden speech in the house, Azhar, a first-time Congress MP, said his fellow members had wanted him to slam a sixer during his address.

“I told them that I’m not good at hitting sixes. Sidhu, who is sitting in opposition benches, is better than me at hitting sixes,” Azhar maintained, evoking much laughter.

He prefaced his speech by expressing his gratitude to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to become an MP.

Pointing out that his constituency Moradabad was renowned for its brass industry, he said assistance was required for its development and for the welfare of the workers.

Azhar also congratulated Sports Minister M.S. Gill for paying attention to cricket, even as he urged the government to take steps to create infrastructure for other sports in the country.

Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and other fellow Congress MPs were seen complimenting Azhar after his speech.