Cricketer Mustafa Bashir may face investigation over 'wholly false' claims

Cricketer Mustafa Bashir could face an investigation over claims he perverted the course of justice.

Bashir was given an 18-month sentence suspended for two years after admitting two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 34-year-old was said to have beaten his wife, Fakhara Karim, with a cricket bat and forced her to drink bleach.

The judge's decision was in part because Bashir's lawyers claimed he would sign a contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club if he was spared jail.

However, Leicestershire have said Bashir's claim was 'wholly false' and the CPS have confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ that they are looking at the case.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: 'We are aware of recent developments relating to this case and are currently considering our options'.

Bashir's lawyer Hugh McKee has yet to respond to Sky Sports News HQ's request from comment.

A Leicestershire statement said: 'The club's legal advisers emailed a letter to Bashir's legal team reiterating that the club had never spoken or had any contact with Bashir or offered him a job.

"They also contacted the CPS to arrange for the club's Chief Executive, Wasim Khan, to give a statement to the same effect. This has now been given to Manchester police and they and the CPS will now be taking this matter forward."

Leicestershire CCC Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: "Leicestershire CCC are appalled that Bashir could have invented a job offer from the club in order, it would seem, to evade a prison sentence.

"The club are actively involved in the fight against domestic abuse and had already arranged a 'Bowling Out Domestic Violence' cricket match in September in support of the White Ribbon Campaign, set up to tackle domestic violence.

"So Bashir's claim was deeply disturbing for the club and we will continue to do what we can to support the authorities bring about justice."