Five women cricketers banned for levelling sexual allegation

Lahore: The inquiry committee set up to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment by five women cricketers against the management of Multan Cricket Club has bailed out the management of the MCC and recommended that all 5 should be banned from playing any form of cricket for six months with effect from October 23, 2013.

The Multan District Cricket Association too has been censured and asked to keep a close watch on Multan Cricket Club and ensure that the clubs registered with them follow the regulations and disciplinary procedures of PCB.

Even after they have served the ban, said the convener of the probe committee and manager Pakistan women’s cricket, Ayesha Ashaar, all five girls will be kept under probation for a period of one year after which the evaluation of their conduct will be made.

The issue was thoroughly investigated by the two-member inquiry committee, in front of which only three out of the five ladies – Seema Javed, Hina Ghafoor, Kiran Irshad – appeared, while the other two, Saba Ghafoor and Haleema Rafiq, absented themselves despite being given an opportunity to present their case.

All three categorically denied having been sexually harassed or having seen such harassment taking place. All three were serving one penalty or ban or another for various offences and that was the focus of their complaint.

After thorough due process, in addition to banning the five ladies for bringing the game and the image of women’s cricket into disrepute, the PCB has issued a letter of censure to the Multan District Cricket Association to monitor the Multan Cricket Club’s activities closely and report to GM Domestic Operations PCB quarterly. “It is strongly recommended that the district cricket association ensures that the club follows the regulations and disciplinary procedures of the PCB in letter and spirit to avoid such uncalled and unprofessional events from happening that tarnish the image of the game of cricket”.

This decision was arrived at after a hearing conducted in Multan on June 11 2013, regarding the appearance of 5 Women Cricketers namely Seema Javed, Hina Ghafoor, Kiran Irshad, Saba Ghafoor and Haleema Rafiq appeared on a satellite news channel programme on June 7, 2013 and alleged sexual harassment against the management of Multan Cricket Club.

Women players had lodged complaints over several officials’ ‘unprofessional and disrespectful attitude’.

The players had stated that officials had been harassing them and demanding ‘inappropriate’ behaviour with team selection being the officials’ bargaining chip.They accused 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 had 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.”