Pak bowler Asif returns home after Dubai drops drug probe
Saturday, 21 June 2008
ISLAMABAD, June 20 (AP): Pakistan fast bowler Mohammed Asif returned home Friday after Dubai authorities dropped a drug investigation against him, ending almost three weeks of detention. "Asif is back in Pakistan," Pakistan Cricket Board human resources manager Nadim Akram told The Associated Press Friday. Asif was held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, since June 1 after authorities allegedly found an illegal substance in his wallet as he travelled through the city's international airport on his way home from playing in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament. Asif arrived in Pakistan on a flight from Dubai early Friday and immediately proclaimed his innocence.
"No banned substance was recovered from me, and all of my tests were clear," Asif told reporters at Lahore International Airport. He said he had also been cleared in the two earlier medical tests before playing in India.
"If those tests had not been cleared, ICC would have banned me earlier," he said, referring to world cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council.
The PCB said in a statement that it welcomed Asif's release and was "relieved that this ordeal is over."
"We appreciate the professional manner in which this whole issue was dealt with by the Dubai police, prosecution department and the UAE authorities," it said.
The PCB said it will conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter, "as per its policies and procedures," once official records are received from United Arab Emirates authorities. Asif was accused of carrying 0.01 ounces (0.25 grams) of opium.
"No banned substance was recovered from me, and all of my tests were clear," Asif told reporters at Lahore International Airport. He said he had also been cleared in the two earlier medical tests before playing in India.
"If those tests had not been cleared, ICC would have banned me earlier," he said, referring to world cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council.
The PCB said in a statement that it welcomed Asif's release and was "relieved that this ordeal is over."
"We appreciate the professional manner in which this whole issue was dealt with by the Dubai police, prosecution department and the UAE authorities," it said.
The PCB said it will conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter, "as per its policies and procedures," once official records are received from United Arab Emirates authorities. Asif was accused of carrying 0.01 ounces (0.25 grams) of opium.