The former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin, banned for life by the BCCI said in Hyderabad on Saturday that he was confident of staging a comeback into the game. "I hope to be in white flannels soon and I am confident of playing for India again", the stylish Hyderabadi batsman told a press conference after launching an event management and entertainment company, Azhar Sangeeta Management Services Limited (ASMS). He added that "I am physically fit and doing my regular work-outs. Hopefully, I will make a comeback. "

In his new avatar as businessman-philanthropist, Azhar handled a volley of questions from the reporters with aplomb and appeared as comfortable as he was while playing wristy strokes in his heyday.

While refusing to answer queries on match-fixing on the ground that it is sub-judice, he exuded confidence that he would come out clean and said "public opinion can change after the court verdict." He also asserted that he had no regrets for being silent, unlike the vociferous denials by other tainted players like Manoj Prabhakar.

Azhar, whose petition challenging the life ban is presently being heard by a city civil court here, said he was advised by his counsel not to rush to the media. "I did not want to create controversies. Media is never my enemy", Azhar said of his being away from media ever since the CBI report nailing him in the sensational scandal.

Azhar declined to comment on India's performance in the recent Test match against Australia and said it would be "unfair and unethical to talk about performances of players with whom he played earlier."

Asked what would be his suggestion to Indian team, he quipped "I wish them better luck." The former captain admitted that he was watching cricket only 'on and off' because of his other engagements. Flanked by his actress wife Sangeeta, Azhar as the founder and chairman of ASMS said he was launching the firm here to provide entertainment to Hyderabadis who, he said, have been starved of entertainment. Azhar did not rule out taking a plunge into politics saying "I will answer it next time. It is hard for me to say anything at the moment."

© PTI