LAHORE, Oct 25: The inquiry committee set up to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment by five women cricketers against the management of Multan Cricket Club (MCC) has recommended that all five cricketers should be banned from playing all forms of cricket for six months with effect from Oct 23, 2013.

The Multan District Cricket Association (MDCA) too has been censured and asked to keep a close watch on MCC and ensure that the clubs registered with them follow the regulations and disciplinary procedures of the PCB.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) states, “Even after they have served the ban, said the convener of the probe committee and manager Pakistan women’s cricket, Ayesha Ashaar, all five girls will be kept under probation for a period of one year after which the evaluation of their conduct will be made.

“The issue was thoroughly investigated by the two-member inquiry committee, in front of which only three out of the five ladies –– Seema Javed, Hina Ghafoor, Kiran Irshad –– appeared, while the other two Saba Ghafoor and Haleema Rafiq remained absent.

“All three categorically denied having been sexually harassed or having seen such harassment taking place. All three were serving one penalty or ban or another for various offences and that was the focus of their complaint.”

After thorough due process, in addition to banning the five ladies for bringing the game and the image of women’s cricket into disrepute, the PCB has issued a letter of censure to the MDCA to monitor the Club’s activities closely and report to GM Domestic Operations PCB quarterly.

This decision was arrived at after a hearing conducted in Multan on June 11, 2013 regarding the appearance of the five cricketers on a satellite news channel on June 7, 2013 in which they alleged the harassment.