Serious concerns about player safety at the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup have emerged after two Australian cricketers were reportedly harassed and sexually assaulted in India. The shocking incident occurred in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where a man on a motorcycle allegedly followed and touched the players inappropriately while they were walking to a nearby café.
According to reports, the players were part of the Australian women’s contingent staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel. After the incident, they immediately triggered an SOS alert to their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who quickly contacted local authorities. A formal complaint was filed at the MIG Police Station, and the accused, identified as Aqeel Khan, was later arrested.
Cricket Australia confirmed the case, stating, “Two members of the Australian Women’s Team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a café in Indore. The matter was immediately reported by team security to police, who are handling the investigation.”
The Women’s ODI World Cup incident has sparked a larger debate about the safety and security arrangements for international athletes competing in India. Questions are being raised over why the players were walking without official escorts, despite the tournament being organized under the supervision of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Adding to the controversy, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about the conditions during the Women’s ODI World Cup. Days earlier, players reported an unpleasant dining experience involving a rat entering a restaurant where the team was having dinner.
As investigations continue, cricket experts and fans alike have called for stricter measures to ensure the safety of women cricketers. The incident highlights the urgent need for the ICC and host nations to prioritize player protection and establish foolproof protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In other news read more about: PCB Announces Pakistan Squad for ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier
