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Asif detained for drug possession

By admin | June 3, 2008

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been detained at Dubai airport for possession of illegal drugs, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Tuesday.

“Yes, he has been detained by authorities at Dubai airport for the last 36 hours,” Nadeem Akram told Reuters from Dubai.

“We are co-ordinating with the Pakistan embassy and handling this issue.

“The substance recovered from him has been sent for tests. He is detained not arrested. We will now follow the legal procedures and we have hired lawyers for this purpose,” Akram added.

Sources on the board said Asif, who was detained while returning from India after playing in a domestic Twenty20 league, is likely to be bailed.

They added they had only learnt of Asif’s detention late on Sunday and immediately sent a team to sort out the matter.

“Obviously it was a big embarrassment for Pakistan cricket but we first have to see what is the real case,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

The PCB is due to hold a news conference later on Tuesday.

Asif was on Monday named in the Pakistan squad to play in the triangular series in Bangladesh from June 8 against India and the hosts.

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