NEW DELHI: Suspended Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif was granted a release from his Indian Premier League contract with the Delhi Daredevils yesterday.
Asif was quoted in a statement released by the Daredevils as saying personal reasons had forced him to seek a release from his three-year contract. He played for the team in the inaugural Twenty20 event last year.
“It has not been easy requesting this as I still have a contract valid for another two seasons with lucrative financial benefits,” the statement said. “Currently, I’m under tremendous pressure at all ends and need to regain my focus on resolving matters.
“My only purpose and wish is to play for Pakistan again, and for that I need to disengage from any other cricket engagements and work toward this.”
Asif was embroiled in two drugs controversies last year. The fast bowler was detained at Dubai Airport for 19 days in June after 0.24 grams of opium were found in his wallet, and he later acknowledged using the drug in Pakistan four months before he visited the United Arab Emirates. After the Dubai incident, he then tested positive for the steroid nandrolone while competing in the IPL.
The fast bowler appealed his ban at an IPL drug tribunal and his next hearing is due Saturday in the west Indian city of Mumbai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended Asif from playing any cricket until he was cleared by the IPL. “Following a request from Asif, the Delhi Daredevils have agreed to release the Pakistan pace bowler from the team with immediate effect,” said Amrit Mathur, chief operating officer of the Daredevils.
