Nepal physio arrested for alleged sexual assault

The Nepal team physio, Aijaz Ashai, has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse in a Northern Ireland hotel, the Belfast Telegraph has reported. Cricket Association of Nepal chose to terminate Ashai's contract after the incident.*

The incident is alleged to have occurred on Tuesday in the same hotel where the Nepal team is staying for the World T20 Qualifier and Ashai was taken to court on Wednesday. His lawyer denied the charges. Ashai could face six months in jail and/or a £5000 fine if found guilty. The matter was adjourned to August 12.

Ashai was supposed to travel to Dublin on Thursday with the team for their remaining group matches, before going to Scotland.

He had joined the Nepal team in Dharamsala in June to prepare for the World T20 Qualifier. Ashai, from India, has worked with the Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy in the past and also worked at the NCA in Bangalore.