Acquisition of sexual assault or Rape is a major threat to any individual’s personal and professional life both.
Like any other sphere of life, cricket has not been immune to controversies and scandalous allegations.
In recent times, several cricketers have faced shocking accusations of sexual assault or rape, which almost shattered their careers and reputations until they were proven innocent.
Check the top five cricketers who found themselves in controversies of any kind of sexual assault acquisition.
1. Sandeep Lamichhane
Sandeep Lamichhane, one of Nepal’s cricketing superstars, had a dramatic fall from high after being charged with raping a minor.
The 23-year-old, who was formerly heralded as the face of Nepal’s growing cricket career, allegedly lied to the court about the victim’s age by submitting forged paperwork.
After Lamichhane was found guilty in December 2023, a Nepalese court sentenced him to eight years in prison on January 10, 2024. The unexpected discovery damaged the cricketer’s career and caused a rift in Nepal’s cricket scene.
2. Danushka Gunathilaka
Danushka Gunathilaka of Sri Lanka was involved in a contentious legal dispute following a lady he met on a dating app accusing him of rape.
During the T20 World Cup in Sydney, the 32-year-old found himself in hot water after being accused of four instances of having sex without permission.
Unexpectedly, the public prosecutor in a Sydney court dismissed three of the charges, leaving a cloud of controversy over the purported Rose Bay incident.
3. Hardik Pandya
Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya, known for his aggressive style on the field, faced serious allegations of drug use and sexual assault.
The accusations were levelled by the spouse of a former associate of notorious figure Dawood Ibrahim.
The accuser detailed “unnatural sexual acts” involving Pandya and a group of individuals during the assault.
Police launched an active investigation, underscoring the gravity of the allegations that threatened to Pandya’s cricketing career. However, nothing proven against Pandya and it seems like some baseless acquisition.
4. Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar was falsely accused of rape during Pakistan’s tour of Australia in 2005, which put him at the centre of attention.
A miscommunication between a girl and a Pakistani player caused the event, which resulted in Akhtar being unjustly accused of molestation.
He angrily denied any involvement in the alleged misbehaviour and demanded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to provide the required clarity.
5. Makhaya Ntini
South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini faced a harrowing legal battle in 1999 when he was sentenced to six years in prison for a rape conviction.
The court found Ntini guilty of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old student at East London’s Buffalo Park cricket ground.
Despite the court acknowledging the lack of physical harm to the victim, Ntini’s cricketing career took a severe blow, and the incident remains a dark chapter in South African cricket history.
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