Pakistan cricket team (AP Photo) After a dismal T20 World Cup campaign, fresh controversy hit Pakistan cricket after an unnamed team member was reportedly fined for allegedly misbehaving with a female hotel staff during the team’s stay in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The incident is believed to have occurred shortly before Pakistan’s final Super Eight match against Sri Lanka and has been quietly discussed in Pakistan cricket circles ever since.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, the episode took place at the Golden Crown Hotel, where the Pakistan team was staying during the tournament. “Prior to Pakistan’s final Super Eight match against Sri Lanka, a player in Pakistan’s World Cup squad misbehaved with a housekeeper,” sources told Telecom Asia Sport. The report added that the female staff member “screamed and called for help, after which hotel staff came to her rescue and reported the matter to Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema”.
T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha press conference after PAK vs SL
The senior officials of the Golden Crown Hotel allegedly wanted to take decisive action against the player. However, Cheema apologized to the hotel management on behalf of the cricketer and fined the misconduct, effectively resolving the issue internally at the time. While the player’s identity has not been released, the matter is far from closed and the individual is expected to face further scrutiny upon returning home.The report suggests that the player could be summoned before the Pakistan Cricket Board’s disciplinary committee, which can decide on additional punishment. The controversy surfaced soon after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign where the side failed to reach the semi-finals after missing out on pure run-rate despite beating Sri Lanka by five runs in their last Super Eight match.The incident also revived debate over past controversies involving Pakistan’s touring squads. The report said batsman Haider Ali was arrested by Manchester police last year during Pakistan’s Shaheens tour of England on charges of rape before being released due to insufficient evidence. In another earlier episode, team masseur Malang Ali was reportedly fined for misbehaving with a female employee during the tour of Malaysia.
