PCB not to initiate investigation into rape allegation

The Pakistan Cricket Board has clarified that it will not initiate any investigation into the rape allegation against one of its players, which came to light yesterday. In a press release, the board said that a preliminary inquiry had been conducted by the team management, and stated that since no formal complaint had been made about the incident, the board wouldn't press charges. It also warned that legal action would be taken against any report which made "defamatory references" against a player.

"Despite the passage of a month, no formal complaint has been lodged either with the police or with the female harassment centre against any member of the team," the press release stated. "In the absence of a formal plaint there is no legal basis to press further charges.

"Legal opinion has been obtained through the Pakistan High Commission in Canberra and the team management on the uncorroborated and sensationalist reports by a small section of the Australian press and it is confirmed that legal notice will be served for any defamatory reference to the team or to individual players regarding an incident that has no basis in law. Cricket Australia have also been informed of the developments."

The press release went on to dismiss the allegation by stating that it could be a plot to demoralise the Pakistan team. "It is generally known that the tabloid press across the world has sometimes reported sensationalist items about visiting sports stars to undermine their morale. On other occasions the complainants seek personal publicity and notoriety by reporting such events to the press."

In a separate release, the board also clarified that Shoaib Akhtar's return to Pakistan had nothing to do with this incident. Certain sections of the media had linked the two, but the PCB emphatically denied it: "The PCB wishes to clarify that the decision to recall him was taken in order for him to achieve full fitness in readiness for the India tour. His recall has no connection whatsoever with the uncorroborated and sensationalist reports relating to an incident in Melbourne."

The allegation first came to light on January 21, when it was revealed that the woman involved had reported the incident to a suburban Centre Against Sexual Assault, but had not made a formal police complaint. The incident was alleged to have happened during the team's stay in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test.