Speedster Zaheer Khan was on Sunday accused of assaulting a spectator during the fifth and final cricket one-dayer against South Africa.
CENTURION: Speedster Zaheer Khan was on Sunday accused of assaulting a spectator during the fifth and final cricket one-dayer against South Africa.
The team management categorically denied the incident.
"Zaheer totally denies the charge. This fan had actually trespassed into the Indian dressing room and security personnel are investigating the incident," said Rajan Nair, media manager of the Indian team.
Zaheer hit the fan, confirmed CEO of Northern Cricket Union, Ellis Lombard. The fan also got into an argument with a few of the Indian players.
The person in question, a local resident of Indian origin, claimed that Zaheer had first thrown a water bottle at him while fielding at third man and later when he had gone to the Indian dressing room to ask for an explanation, he was manhandled by the cricketer.
"We were disappointed at India's performance and heckling the boys when Zaheer suddenly turned around and threw a water bottle at me," said the spectator.
"Later I went to the Indian dressing room to ask for his explanation and he held me by collar and threw me down at the ground."
Corne Meyer, the security spokesman at the Centurion, said there were different versions to the incident and they were investigating it. "The man has been arrested and there are two-three versions of the matter. We are currently investigating it," he said.
As far as one could see, the fans indeed had turned very abusive in the particular stand and cricketers such as Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble, as well as those sitting on the sidelines such as Wasim Jaffer and Suresh Raina, showed a lot of restraint.
Sachin is fine
Sachin Tendulkar had bruised his left elbow when he was hit by a delivery from Andre Nel during the Indian innings.
Dressing room sources said the little master is fine. It did not require even an x-ray. “He was not even taken to hospital. He is fine,” said the Indian team’s spokesman.
With inputs from Vijay Tagore
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