Pakistan skipper Babar Azam faces sexual abuse allegation

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Lahore: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been accused of sexual and physical abuse by an unidentified woman who claimed in a press conference that Azam exploited her for 10 years and gave her false hope of marriage.

The video of the woman addressing a press conference was shared by Pakistan-based journalist Saj Sadiq on Saturday (November 28). The woman even stated that Babar got her pregnant and threatened her.

“He promised to marry me, he got me pregnant, he beat me up, he threatened me and he used me,” the woman was quoted as saying.

“I have known Babar since the time he had nothing to do with cricket. He was from a poor household. I hope all my brothers and sisters here are going to help me get justice so that no daughter gets to go through what I have. Babar and I have grown up in the same colony, we used to stay together.”

The woman further revealed that she and Babar have known each other from their school days and it was in 2010 that he proposed to her.

“He was my school friend. In 2010, he proposed to me and I accepted his proposal. He in fact proposed to me after coming to my house. As time progressed, our understanding got better. We had planned to get married and informed our families too but they refused,” she added.

“Then Babar and I decided to have a court marriage. In 2011, Babar and I eloped and having promised me of marriage, kept me at rented places. During that time, I kept asking him to get married but he said ‘we are not in a position to. With time, we will get married’.”

It was further revealed that the woman used to take care of all their expenses, including the money Babar needed for his cricket. However, in 2016 when the lady got pregnant is when she observed a vast change in the cricketer’s attitude and viewpoint.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to respond to these allegations. Babar and the rest of the Pakistan team are currently in New Zealand, undergoing a 14-day quarantine period in Christchurch.

They are scheduled to play three T20Is and two Test matches beginning December 18. Seven members of the team have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been moved to isolation.