Scam in player’s selection of HCA-affiliated cricket club unearthed

HYDERABAD: An FIR was filed in the Charminar police station against the owner of Charminar Cricket Club who allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh from a young and promising cricketer, promising one-down position in a three-day league match conducted by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

A 25-year cricketer a resident of Secunderabad hoping to enter into first-class cricket met Mahboob Ahmed to enter into the Charminar Cricket Club to participate in A1 division 3 day league (2022-2023) for a good playing position. Mahboob Ahmed invited him to his house at Hussaini Alam to fill up the form and asked the cricketer to pay one lakh rupees to include his name in the club team and assured to give him the opportunity to play at one down position in the 3 days league matches during the year 2022-2023.

Mahboob Ahmed also promised that he would be in the playing eleven in all formats of the game. The young man believed that and paid the first installment of Rs 30,000 through Google Pay on May 23, 2022, to Mahboob Ahmed son’s friend number, and paid the second installment of Rs 45,000 through Google Pay on May 31, 2022, to his son’s number and later he paid the balance amount of Rs 25,000 by cash during the 1st week of June 2022 directly to Mahboob Ahmed near Mecca masjid, Charminar.

Despite the payments in time, the young cricketer was dropped from 20-20 matches which were part of the A1 division, and he was allowed to play only one match in the three-day league. He then asked Mahboob Ahmed to return his money, but he told him to wait and promised him that he would include him in his team in the next season 2023-2024, but he didn’t get any opportunity.

With no response from Mahboob Ahmed, he got selected for another club by attending selection trials without any charges. He continued asking the accused to return his money but he refused and threatened him with dire consequences. The young man sought action against Mahboob Ahmed, Secretary Charminar Cricket Club, and his son Adnan Ahmed Cricketer as per law.

The accused came to know about the FIR and absconded. The local police apprehended them from Bengaluru. They are now being questioned daily at Charminar PS.

There is a high probability that higher officials in HCA were also part of this scam, which is being probed. Police are gathering information on other victims also. Other leagues conducted by HCA before the takeover of the Supreme Court-appointed committee are also under scanner.