Sexual Harassment Allegations Have Not Affected My Game: Babar Azam

Pakistan team captain Babar Azam has found himself in hot waters after he was summoned by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with the sexual harassment and blackmail allegations levied by one Hamiza Mukhtar.

Mukhtar had alleged that Babar Azam had harassed and abused her last year, during a press conference. She also approached the court which then directed the police to investigate and report the matter to them. This comes as a setback to the Pakistani captain who is slated to lead the team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

It Is My Personal Issue And It Is In Court: Babar Azam

On Friday, Babar Azam who will lead Pakistan on all three formats asserted that his game has not been affected by the sexual harassment allegations, calling it hurdles that he faces as a sportsperson.

Meanwhile, FIA concluded in its report that Babar Azam not appearing for a hearing indicated something amiss, and Judge Hamid Hussain on Thursday directed the FIA “to proceed further with respect to registration of the FIR against the culprits within the stipulated time following legal formalities”.

“It is my personal issue and it is in court. My lawyer is handling it. We face all sorts of hurdles in life and I am used to it. This issue has not affected my form or cricket,” he said during a virtual press conference on Friday.

Furthermore, Azam also talked about doing well on the upcoming tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe despite the distractions that he is facing.

Hamiza has claimed that she had been constantly receiving “threatening messages” from different mobile numbers on WhatsApp from the unidentified person who also “threaten and blackmail her that they have her objectionable pictures and videos and will upload (them) on social media in order to harm her repute in society and ruin her life” after she filed a case against Babar.

Babar is yet to appear in court, but his brother Faisal appeared on behalf of Babar and requested the FIA to “wait for some time” to record the latter’s statement, but he has not yet appeared for the inquiry.

Also Read: Lahore Court Orders FIA To File Charges On Babar Azam On Charges Of Blackmail And Harassment