The players have stated that officials have been harassing them and demanding ‘inappropriate’ behaviour with team selection being the officials’ bargaining chip. PHOTO: pcb.com.pk
The players have stated that officials have been harassing them and demanding ‘inappropriate’ behaviour with team selection being the officials’ bargaining chip.
In response, the PCB has assembled a three-member inquiry team, led by national women’s team manager Ayesha Ashar, to investigate the allegations made.
An official close to the matter told The Express Tribune that the committee will meet all the players individually as part of its investigation.
The PCB committee has also asked for the career records of all players who have hurled the accusations, which would help clarify whether or not the women cricketers in question were top performers but were not considered due to their refusal.
The committee has also promised keeping their revelations a secret so as to not harm their potential careers.
The actions were taken after a group of women cricketers of the regional teams revealed that certain male officials of the Multan Cricket Club (MCC) demanded ‘friendship and physical relations’ and, in case of refusal, threatened not to consider them for selection regardless of their performances.
Hina Ghafoor, Kiran Khan, Seema Javed, Noor Fatima and Maleeha Shafiq were the players who have made the accusations.
‘Multan Cricket Club president the main culprit’
Maleeha said the MCC would ‘destroy a girl’s career’. “If any girl wants to destroy her career, she should join the MCC,” she said.
According to Kiran, MCC President Begum Shami Sultan was the main culprit and used to demand money from players.
“I had impressive domestic performances and I was confident I would be selected for the national team,” said Kiran.
“But such shameful acts were demanded of me that I decided to quit the game.”
However, Sultan was quick to dismiss the allegations, calling them ‘baseless’. She added that she was willing to present all the necessary facts before the inquiry committee.
The PCB has asked all the five players to appear on June 12 at its regional head office in Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2013.
COMMENTS (3)
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Are we animals or what ? Casting couches in cricket too ? shame ! unbelievable !
I want to know who did what to whom and what suo moto action was taken in this scandal. Get to the bottom as they say.
Shame on you, you have mentioned names of female player but not the culprits, you are equally responsible to hide the shamefull act.