Nepal cricket team physio sacked after allegations of sexual harassment

Mumbai: The Nepal cricket team, which has already been struggling with their form, was hit with another controversy during the ongoing qualifiers for the ICC World T20 to be played in India next year. The team's physiotherapist Dr Aijaz Bashir Ashai is sacked because of a sexual harassment case.

According to a report in ‘Belfast Telegraph’, Cricket Association of Nepal terminated Ashai’s contract with immediate effect after he was accused for molesting a female masseuse in the team hotel.

The Nepalese cricket team, which recently travelled to India to prepare for the qualifiers of ICC World T20, had hired Ashai’s services then.

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The report quoted a police constable saying, “Dr Ashai told the masseuse that he was suffering in the groin and buttock area, and grabbed her hands and forced them between his legs, while in a state of arousal.”

The Mumbai-based physiotherapist had earlier worked with Mumbai Ranji team.

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The report added, “When a handcuffed Dr Ashai appeared in court charged with touching a female masseuse in a sexual manner without her consent, a police constable testified that the masseuse alleged that Dr Ashai had asked for a full body massage - and despite having been instructed to wear underpants, he attended without them.”

It was reported that Ashai apologised to the masseuse. He also offered her a tip of £10 which she refused to take.

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Ashai’s lawyer said that his client admitted going for a massage but denied the claims of molestation. Ashai was released on £2,500 bail, However, he is ordered to give up his passport, report to police thrice a week, not to get in touch with the witnesses and stay in Strangford Arms in Newtownards, added the report.