Azhar did get a Mercedes: report

DUBAI, APRIL 20. A leading Pakistani jeweller in Dubai, Ary, did gift Mohd Azharuddin, captain of the Indian team for the Coca Cola Trophy in November 1998, a Mercedes Benz car during a lucky draw he conducted for the firm, the Gulf News daily reported.

Azhar had reacted to a report in the `Outlook' magazine that he was given a top-of-the-line Mercedes Benz 500Sj in Dubai, saying the editor should have known that a car, unlike a toy, cannot be brought into India without government and public knowledge.

Referring to Azhar's reaction the Gulf News on Thursday recalled that the former Indian captain had called local reporters aside after a mandatory press conference in 1998 to say, ``I have been given a Mercedes car for becoming the highest scorer in one-day cricket. It is a big honour for me and I am very grateful for this gesture.

''I was completely taken by surprise. I only hope the Indian government is lenient in allowing me to take the car without any duties and customs. It has always been my dream to have such a car. I have a Mercedes 320 but this one is going to be special,`` he went on to add, the daily said.

The report was carried by local English newspapers in the UAE, the newspaper recalled.

- PTI

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