Mumbai U-16 cricketer banned for three years for 'dropping pants'
On Thursday, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) banned a junior cricketer for three years after receiving a complaint about 'inappropriate behavior'. 14-year-old Musheer Khan, who led the Mumbai Under-16 team this season, was banned following the complaint, and will not be able to play in any MCA tournament. Neither will he be allowed to play for the Mumbai team. Here are the details.
In 2013, Tendulkar himself had awarded Khan for his talent
Despite his actions, Musheer Khan is a talented cricketer and received a special award along with Prithvi Shaw from cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar at an MCA function in 2013.
The inappropriate incident that sparked the ban
The MCA banned Khan after a probe found that Khan dropped his pants and exposed himself to a teammate following a brief scuffle when the Mumbai team was on tour. The incident took place in December last year in a team hotel, when the Mumbai team was in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh for a quarter-final match against Uttar Pradesh.
The MCA had been contemplating a life ban
Subsequently, a complaint was lodged against Khan. Then, on January 14, the team's coach, manager, the complainant, and MCA's ad-hoc committee met and concluded that Khan was guilty as charged, and handed the U-16 player a three-year ban. While the three-year ban comes a big blow for Khan, he still escaped a heavier punishment, as the MCA had been contemplating a life ban.
The MCA had harsh words for Khan
"The Ad-Hoc Managing Committee found you guilty of gross misconduct and bringing the name of the Association to disrepute. It was also noted that you have failed in your duties by resorting to the ugliest behaviour which has shocked the entire team and the committee," said the MCA while delivering its verdict.
The MCA has given Khan a chance to appeal
Sources also told media that there were several other complaints against Khan, some of them even more offensive in nature. However, the MCA has given Khan a chance to appeal against its decision. Commenting on the same, Khan's father told the press that three years was too long a ban for the young cricketer, and that they would be filing an appeal.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul remain suspended
The development comes at a time when Indian national cricket team players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been provisionally suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allegedly making 'sexist' and misogynist comments in the show Koffee With Karan. The two cricketers are now awaiting a verdict on their fate, and will be hopeful about competing in this year's Cricket World Cup.
