Sami robbed at gunpoint

Mohammad Sami, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been robbed of about Rs1.5 million (approx US$25,300) after his home in Karachi was burgled early on Saturday morning.

Talking about the incident, a senior police official told Press Trust of India: "Sami's elder brother has lodged a First Information Report [FIR] in which they have reported that four masked dacoits broke locks [of the house] early Saturday morning and robbed them. The exact amount has not been mentioned in the FIR."

However, Sami later told PTI about the extent of damage. "We estimate that the robbers took away nearly Rs 1.5 million worth of prize bonds, defence saving certificates, American dollars and jewellery," he said, and elaborated on how the theft happened. "The dacoits entered our house at 4am and locked all seven of my family members in one room at gunpoint. They tied our hands and threatened to kill us if we made any noise. They stayed in the house for nearly an hour and fled with all the valuables.

"Although the dacoits didn't misbehave with us but naturally we are shell-shocked. I am definitely worried about the condition of my mother who is in a state of shock." Sami is recovering from a heel surgery which has ruled him out of the one-day series in the West Indies, though he is likely to join the squad for the two-Test series which follows.

This is the second instance of robbery against a member of the Pakistan cricketing set-up. Earlier in the week Eric Johnson, the physiotherapist, also suffered when burglars held his family hostage and took away nearly Rs1 million (approx US$16,870).