Reports: Nadeem Iqbal suspended by PCB over sexual misconduct charges

Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended former fast bowler Nadeem Iqbal. The veteran, who has formerly been a coach in the Southern Punjab region, was charged with sexual harassment and the matter came to PCB’s notice last week as they took the decision based on the ongoing police investigation.

Iqbal is from the same region as Waqar Younis, and the two played local cricket together in the late 1980s and 1990s. Few believed he was a more promising potential than Waqar at the time, particularly due to his ability to swing the new ball. However, he never made it to international cricket. In March 2004, Iqbal retired from professional cricket. In 80 first-class matches, he took 258 wickets, while in 49 List A matches, he took 65 wickets.

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, Iqbal’s suspension was confirmed on June 18. A previous PCB management selected Iqbal as the coach for the Southern Punjab area. Despite being on the board’s payroll, he had not participated in any of the PCB’s extensive teaching programs in the previous two years.

The victim alleged in a police report that she attended the PCB women’s tryouts in Multan a few years ago, where Iqbal was one of the trainers. She accused Iqbal of molesting her and revealed the incident while speaking in a video message.

“He got close to me with promises of selecting me for the women’s team and also getting me employment on the board. But over time, he kept on sexually molesting me and also involved his friends. He also had me videotaped and later kept on blackmailing me,” the victim said.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time when such allegations have been made against cricketers or cricketing bodies. In 2014, five teenage women cricketers accused Multan Cricket Club administrators of sexual misconduct. Reportedly, the officers of the well-known cricket club linked sought sexual benefits in return for including the players in the team.

Yasir Shah, Pakistan’s Test leg-spinner, was also charged of assisting a friend in sexually abusing a young girl and then threatening her last year. The complainant eventually withdrew the accusations against Yasir, but a case against his friend is still active in court.