The Nepali national cricket team has been distracted further from their shaky ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers campaign following a shameful act of its Indian physiotherapist Dr Aijaz Bashir Ashai who has been accused of molesting a masseuse at a hotel in Northern Ireland.
Ashai, who was hired for the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers when the Nepali team was in a 15-day preparation tour of India, was charged with “touching a hotel masseuse in a sexual manner” and appeared at the Ards Magistrates Court on Wednesday. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) issued a press statement informing about his contract termination effective from Thursday.
The incident is alleged to have taken place on Tuesday at the La Mon Hotel & Country House where the Nepali national team has been staying. “A constable told the court the masseuse alleged that Dr Ashai, of Thakur Village, East Mumbai, India, had asked for a full body massage, and despite having been instructed to wear underpants, he attended without them,” wrote the belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
The website added that Ashai, 42, told her he was suffering in the groin and buttock area and grabbed her hands guiding it towards his privy parts.
Ashai’s lawyer said he admitted of attending massage but denied to have grabbed her hand. He agreed to a bail address at the Strangford Arms Hotel Newtownards, close to the police station. Deputy District Judge Joe Rice granted a bail to Ashai, one of the best-known sports physiotherapists in India, for £2,500 on the condition the Nepali team lodge a cash surety.
He was told not make contact with witnesses, report to police thrice a week and gave up his passport. The case was adjourned till August 12. Asai is currently the
head physio of the Indian rugby team and the West Zone Deodar Trophy cricket team. (PR)
18.12°C Kathmandu
