The PCB has sent its Director of Human Resources Nadeem Akram to Dubai to co-ordinate with the Pakistan embassy officials and resolve the issue. “We are in constant touch with the concerned authorities. Asif has not been arrested but detained by the custom officials. We have sent the substance recovered from his luggage for lab testing,” Akram said from Dubai.

It was still not known what drug Asif was carrying but speculation was rife that it could have been opium or hashish. “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,” Akram said.

A PCB source said former Pakistan player and Director of National Cricket Academy Mudassar Nazar, who is in Dubai, has also been asked to help. Dubai authorities have conducted a blood test on Asif but results have not been divulged yet. Interestingly, when asked what substance had been recovered, Akram said it was a medicine prescribed by a local hakeem.

“He was carrying this substance in very small quantity in his wallet for the last four or five months and even forgot about it. He is also not sure what it is and it was prescribed to him for treatment of his elbow injury,” Akram said. “We have sent his blood and urine samples for testing and so far we have not got the results,” Akram said. Asif was picked in the Pakistan squad for the tri-series in Bangladesh this month on Monday. Asif has claimed 51 wickets in 11 Test matches. He has 36 wickets to his credit in 31 one-dayers.

PCB supports pacer

Karachi: Meanwhile. the Pakistan Cricket Board has said it would consider Asif innocent until he is chargesheeted by authorities in Dubai. Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB Chief Operating Officer, said in Lahore that he was hopeful the matter would be resolved soon.

“We are hopeful he will return home and if that happens, that itself would be an indication that he is innocent. So there would be no question of taking any disciplinary action against him. But if he is chargesheeted then I am afraid he has to face a case under the laws of the United Arab Emirates,” Naghmi said.

Asif himself claimed he had been implicated following a brawl with some officials at the airport. Express television channel claimed that Asif, under detention at Dubai airport, told them he was drunk and got into an argument with airport officials and he slapped one of them.

Troubled times for Asif

October 16, 2006

Suspended by the PCB along with Shoaib Akhtar and pulled out from the Champions Trophy after failing tests for Nandrolone

1 November 2006

Handed a one-year suspension by the PCB; appeals against the ban

December 5, 2006

Second tribunal formed to hear appeal acquits him. WADA challenges the decision in Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

March 1 2007

Ruled out of the Pakistani squad for the 2007 World Cup, minutes before departure, citing injuries

July 2, 2007

CAS drops the case, ruling it had no jurisdiction to challenge PCB decision

June 3, 2008

Arrested at the Dubai International

Airport for carrying banned substances