Bhopal, Oct. 26 -- Two Australian women cricketers were sexually harassed by a motorcyclist who inappropriately touched one of them as they walked to a cafe in Indore on Thursday, casting a shadow over the Women's World Cup being hosted in the city. Police arrested Aqueel Sheikh, 30, on Friday evening after the players alerted their security manager Danny Simmons, who lodged a complaint at MIG Road police station. The incident took place on Thursday morning as the players walked from their team hotel to a nearby cafe. Sheikh followed them on his motorbike, inappropriately touched one of the players and fled the spot, Santosh Singh, commissioner of police, Indore, said. The victims immediately sent their live location to Simmons, who arranged for a car to bring them back to the hotel before filing the police complaint. Police formed a team involving five stations and identified Sheikh through CCTV footage. He was described as wearing a white shirt and black cap during the incident. Officers arrested the Azad Nagar resident after he tried to flee and injured himself in the leg and hand. Rajesh Dandotiya, additional deputy commissioner of police (crime branch), said Sheikh has been booked in 12 cases of theft, robbery, voluntarily causing hurt, house trespassing and under the Arms Act across nine police stations over the past 13 years. "He has confessed to the crime. He said he was just saying hello to them out of curiosity," Dandotiya said. An FIR has been registered under sections 74 (outraging the modesty of women) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Cricket Australia confirmed the incident in a statement. "We can confirm two members of the Australian women's team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in Indore. The matter was reported by team security to police who are handling the matter." Despite the incident, Australia went ahead with Saturday's final league match against South Africa at Holkar Stadium in Indore, winning by seven wickets. The team had also played England at the same venue on Wednesday. The seven-time ODI World Cup champions, who top the table, will face co-hosts India in the semi-finals. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called it a "deeply regrettable and isolated incident" and said the board maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts. "We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh Police in apprehending the accused. The law will take its due course to ensure justice is served," he said, adding that the BCCI will review existing safety protocols. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, which governs Holkar Stadium, said it was "deeply pained and shocked" by the incident and apologised to the players. "No woman should ever have to endure such trauma, and our thoughts and support are with those impacted by this distressing incident," the MPCA said in a statement. The association added that Indore "has earned a proud reputation as a safe venue for visiting teams" and said it was "deeply painful that the disorderly action of one individual has caused such harm and cast a shadow over the city's image". The MPCA said it is examining whether the players sought security cover before leaving the hotel. The incident drew political reactions, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi calling the incident "disgraceful" and "shameful", and adding that India continues to fail in providing safe spaces for women despite boasting about economic growth. Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the BJP of "hypocrisy" for protesting such incidents only in opposition-ruled states. "All parties must raise their voices unitedly against crimes against women and work on policies to create a safe environment for women," he said....