DUBAI, 4 June 2008 — Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been detained at the airport after a powder was found in his wallet on his way through Dubai International Airport on early Monday. He was on his way to Lahore from Mumbai after playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
Pakistan Cricket Board manager of human resources Nadeem Akram has landed here to assist Asif and he is in close touch with the Pakistan Embassy officials to resolve the issue.
Sources close to a legal firm in Dubai told Arab News that the pacer is due to appear before public prosecutor and is likely to be granted bail. But there was no confirmation about his bail and the status of the case till late last night. A Dubai-based lawyer was trying to secure his release since yesterday morning.
“No charges have been filed against him so far and the substance recovered from him has been sent for test, and we are waiting for the results. When we get the result, then only we can give some details,” said a senior police officer in town, on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, Akram said that he is in constant touch with the concerned authorities. “Once the tests are completed we will know what the substance really is, what it contains. But we will handle everything in a transparent manner,” he added.
The 25-year-old player is considered one of the most promising fast bowlers in Pakistan and his name has been included in the 16-man squad for the tri-series against Bangladesh and India which begins this weekend.
It is the second drug scandal involving Asif tested positive for banned anabolic steroids before the 2006 Champions Trophy in India. He was initially banned for two years by a drugs inquiry tribunal but later the ban was removed on appeal by an appellate tribunal formed by the PCB. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board lifted the ban after he claimed that he had not knowingly taken the drug.
