Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Sep 16 (IANS) Former Indian cricket captain and Lok Sabha member Mohammed Azharuddin’s son, Mohammed Ayazuddin, who was critically injured in a motorbike accident five days ago, passed away at a hospital here Friday.

The 19-year-old was laid to rest Friday evening at a graveyard in Santosh Nagar after ‘Namaz-e-Janaza’ at the historic Mecca Masjid in the old city. Hundreds of mourners — including Azharuddin’s relatives, friends and eminent personalities of the city — joined the burial procession.

Ayazuddin died at 11.51 a.m. due to hypoxic encephalopathy, said a statement from Apollo Hospital where the youngster battled for life since Sunday.

The budding cricketer was critically injured in a motorbike crash at Puppalaguda on Outer Ring Road of Hyderabad Sep 11. Ayazuddin’s cousin, Ajmal-ur-Rahman (16), who was pillion riding with him, died a couple of hours after they were taken to hospital.

The high-end sports bike skidded off the road when Ayazuddin was riding it at a high speed, according to police.

Ayazuddin’s mother, Naureen Azharuddin, his second wife, Sangeeta Bijlani, and other close relatives were at the hospital when the end came.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy rushed to the hospital and consoled Azharuddin, who was seen fighting back his tears. State ministers and members of parliament, including Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and leaders of ruling Congress party also condoled the former cricketer.

A pall of gloom descended on Azharuddin’s house in Banjara Hills, where Ayazuddin’s body was brought after autopsy.

Ayazuddin was the youngest of the two sons of Azharuddin from his first wife, Naureen, whom he divorced to marry former actress Sangeeta Bijlani.

Doctors at Apollo Hospital said Ayazuddin was in critical condition and was put on a ventilator ever since he was shifted to hospital. They said he was brought with cardiac arrest and had sustained injuries to his kidneys.

The doctors later removed one kidney to stop the bleeding. According to a medical bulletin late Thursday, tests conducted on him indicated brain dysfunction.

Ayazuddin was a second-year B.Com student at St. Mary’s College. He had a good record as a cricketer in school.

The Hyderabad Cricket Association also condoled the death of Ayazuddin. His friends were shocked over the death.

Ayazuddin’s coach, John Sanjay, said he could not believe that the upcoming cricketer was no more. “We lost a very promising cricketer. He was very disciplined, a talented batsman and used to play like his father,” he said.