Ex-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been offered the job of coaching J&K team and he was considering... Read More

NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been offered the job of coaching Jammu and Kashmir cricket team and he was considering whether to take it up or not, a report said.

According to the report, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah offered Azharuddin the position that has been lying vacant since Bishan Singh Bedi's exit after the end of last season.

"We still haven't reached the final decision," Abdullah was quoted as saying by a website.

Azharuddin's life ban handed by the BCCI in 2000 for his alleged involvement in match-fixing was overturned last year by the Andhra Pradesh high court.

Mujeeb Khan, Azharuddin's secretary, said the former batsman hadn't made up his mind.

"He has been offered the post of coach by JKCA but he hasn't decided whether to take it or not. They want to avail of whatever services he could render. He is seriously considering it since he is desperate to give back to the game that has been so close to his heart," Mujeeb said.

The report also said that even if Azharuddin accepts the offer, his return to the cricket field, albeit as a coach, won't be easy.

It quoted a BCCI official as saying that Azharuddin cannot return to cricket in any role without BCCI's permission since the ruling has been challenged.