A Pakistani cricketer has been accused of raping a woman in Melbourne during the team's current tour Down Under.
The woman has told sexual assault counsellors that she was assaulted in a city hotel. The allegation was strongly refuted by the Pakistani team management.
The woman reported the alleged attack to a suburban Centre Against Sexual Assault, but has so far refused to make a complaint to police, the media reported in Syndey on Friday.
Senior police officials admitted on Thursday that they were aware of the allegation, but said they were powerless to investigate unless a formal complaint was made.
The rape was alleged to have happened while the Pakistani team was in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test. The woman is believed to have said it happened in the player's hotel room.
A spokeswoman of the Centre Against Sexual Assault said the woman reported the assault straightaway but was still not prepared to make an official complaint.
"There are very good reasons for that, but they are confidential and I am not prepared to discuss them," the spokeswoman said adding the woman involved was extremely distressed.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said his team was "stunned" but added that the allegation would be "dealt with in-house".
Pak team manager Haroon Rashid told 'Herald Sun' that he would discuss the complaint with the accused player.
"Why would she be in his room?" he said.
"If there is no consent, why would she be in somebody's room?"
Police did not comment on the circumstances of the incident or the player's identity.
Cricket Australia officials are believed to have been told of the alleged rape.
Woolmer said he had spoken to the players about the accusation during Pakistan's training session at the SCG and they had all expressed shock and surprise at the claims.
"Stunned really," Woolmer said describing the players' reaction.
