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

... contd.