West Indian international cricketer, Fabian Allen, recently fell victim to a harrowing incident of a gunpoint mugging in Johannesburg. The 28-year-old all-rounder from Jamaica, who currently represents the Paarl Royals franchise in the SA20 league, was targeted outside the team hotel, leaving the cricketer shaken.
The assailants, armed with a gun, confronted Allen near the renowned Sandton Sun Hotel, forcibly taking away his phone and personal belongings, including a bag. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of players participating in the SA20.
Multiple sources connected to the Paarl Royals team, SA20, and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have confirmed the incident. A CWI source acknowledged the situation, assuring that Allen is unharmed. Additionally, a representative from the West Indies board expressed relief after establishing contact with the player.
“Our head coach Andre Coley, also hailing from Jamaica, reached out to Fabian. Contact was successfully established through Obed McCoy (another West Indies international). He is fine. CSA (Cricket South Africa) and his team, Paarl Royals, could share more details if there are any,” a top CWI official told Cricbuzz.
Despite attempts to obtain information, queries directed to the Paarl Royals management did not yield a response. An SA20 league spokesperson, while not denying the incident, redirected inquiries to a police officer who, at the time of the print, had no immediate information. The player himself could not be reached for a comment.
This incident marks the second occurrence of a security-related episode involving the SA20 players in recent times. It is the second season of the league, which has reached the play-offs stage. Paarl Royals will be playing the Eliminator on February 7 after Qualifier 1 later in the night. The final will be played on February 10. (Cricbuzz)
