Cricketer attacked after match abuse (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Cricketer attacked after match abuse

1:09pm Monday 14th August 2006 in Asian Eye By Newsdesk

Police are investigating an alleged assault on a talented overseas cricketer playing in the Bradford League.

Three men burst into the terraced house where Shoaib Khan is staying, in Newton Street, West Bowling, Bradford, and attacked him.

He suffered minor cuts and bruises and police were called.

The attack happened three days after Mr Khan, who is playing for Hartshead Moor, was verbally abused during a bad-tempered match against Great Horton.

The Bradford League is investigating claims of misconduct by players at the game.

Hartshead Moor club secretary Peter Squire said that he had received a call from Mr Khan's agent, Khalid Rehman, to say that a number of men had got into the house where the player was living and assaulted him.

Mr Squire said: "The police are involved. I told the league there had been an incident and police had been called."

Mr Squire said that the game played three days earlier had been played in a competitive spirit and that Mr Khan, an all-rounder, had been verbally abused.

"Things were said to Shoaib which he said were upsetting. The club was not happy about what had gone on at the game and we are waiting to hear from the league about it."

Mr Rehman said Mr Khan had suffered very minor cuts and bruises in the "one-off incident."

Mr Rehman said: "It was somebody who was hot-headed at the time and didn't realise the consequences. They realised they had made a mistake and have apologised to Shoaib.

"It has been dealt with and hopefully it won't happen again.

"Shoaib is more than happy to put the incident behind him and get on with his cricket."

But police are continuing to investigate the incident.

A spokesman said: "I can confirm we are investigating a report of an assault at about 7pm on Tuesday, July 4, at a property in Newton Street, West Bowling.

"A 21-year-old man suffered slight injuries in the incident. He is alleged to have been assaulted by three suspects.

"No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing."

Bradford League chairman Graham Reid said the alleged assault had been mentioned but the league had not received an official report.

League officials have studied an umpire's report about allegations of misconduct at the game and are waiting for a response from the two clubs.

Mr Reid said: "The only situation we are involved with at the moment is the alleged incident on the day of the game and inquiries have been instigated into that matter.

"That is being considered in accordance with Bradford Cricket League regulations."

Tony Hamer, cricket secretary of the Great Horton club, declined to comment about the league investigation or the alleged assault on Shoaib Khan.

Mr Khan is in his first season with Hartshead Moor and at the halfway point of the season was the league's top run-getter, with 424. He averaged 49 with the bat in first class cricket in Pakistan last year.