Cricketer who made wife drink bleach spared jail

What is the story?

A Pakistani cricketer who hit his wife with a bat and forced her to drink bleach was spared jail after he claimed that he was set to join a top cricket club. But Leicestershire County Cricket Club have denied offering Mustafa Bashir any contract.

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Cricket Club was quoted the Sun as saying: “The club are bemused by these stories. Any references to Mustafa Bashir signing or being approached to sign for Leicestershire County Cricket Club are completely false.”

“The club have never spoken to Mustafa Bashir or an agent, nor offered a contract to the player.”

In case you did not know

Bashir got married to his wife Fakhara Karima in 2013 but soon their relationship soured as the cricketer started dominating and controlling her.

He reportedly bashed Fakhara up on multiple occasions for wearing westernized dresses and talking to friends on the phone.

Once in 2014, Bashir had held Fakhara by the throat in public after some heated exchange of words. He only let go of her when passersby threatened to call the police.

Reportedly when they reached home Bashir once again grabbed his wife by the throat and threatened her with a knife. Later she dragged her to the bathroom and forced her to drink bleach so that she would die.

The heart of the matter

At the Manchester City court, Bashir admitted to two counts of assault and harming her. However, his defense solicitor claimed that he would join former county champions Leicestershire as a professional player after being offered a contract just before his arrest, on the condition that he was not jailed.

The judge, therefore, handed him an 18-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to attend a workshop called “building better relationships”. Bashir was also told to pay 1,000 pounds.

Since the verdict, the judge has also been slammed as he said Fakhara was not vulnerable as she was “an intelligent woman with a network of friends” and a degree.

What happens next?

Various groups have raised their voices against Bashir. It remains to be seen whether the verdict will change in times to come. Also, it remains to be seen what the court does with the fact that Leicestershire County Cricket Club have now denied knowing Bashir and offering him a contract. Meanwhile, he has been asked to stay away from his wife.

Author’s take

If indeed Bashir was lying in court, he should be taken into custody immediately and punished for his crimes.