Sport | Cricket
Pakistan glad to have Asif back
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif could face an internal enquiry conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before being cleared to play in the Asia Cup, which commences on June 24.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:08 June 20, 2008
- 1. Shoaib Malek (Captain)
- 2. Salman Butt
- 3. Nasir Jamshed
- 4. Younus Khan
- 5. Mohammad Yousuf
- 6. Misbah-ul-Haq (Vice Captain)
- 7. Shahid Afridi
- 8. Sarfraz Ahmad (Wicket Keeper)
- 9. Umar Gul
- 10. Sohail Tanvir
- 11. Rao Iftikhar
- 12. Wahab Riaz
- 13. Sohail Khan
- 14. Fouad Alam
- 15. Mansoor Amjad
- 16. Bazid Khan
- 17. Naumanullah
- 18. Yasir Hameed
- 19. Saeed Ajmal
- 20. Abdur Raouf
Dubai: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif could face an internal enquiry conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before being cleared to play in the Asia Cup, which commences on June 24.
Speaking to Gulf News from Lahore yesterday, Shafqat Naghmi, the Chief Operating Officer of the PCB said: "We are yet to receive a copy of the judgment from our lawyers, or authorities in Dubai. We will have to study the case before passing a judgment on Asif."
The Dubai Public Prosecution yesterday discharged Asif, who was detained for carrying 0.24 gram of opium in his wallet, due to insignificance.
"Based on the judgment's copy we will consider whether Asif can be pardoned or not. A crime is a crime and any player who has committed it will be punished," Naghmi said. Asif, who has taken 51 wickets in 11 Test matches and 36 wickets in 31 One-dayers, was transiting through Dubai International Airport after playing in the Indian Premier League in India when he was detained.
Official statement
Asif will be deported once the authorities in Dubai complete the procedures. He could reach Pakistan just in time for the Asia Cup.
"We would be very happy if he is being let off. We will be glad to have him back," said Naghmi.
When contacted in Islamabad, Dr. Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, said: "We would like to get the official statement from Dubai authorities before making any comment on the matter."
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council said that they would not interfere in the Mohammad Asif case at this stage.
James Fitzgerald, the ICC Communication Officer told Gulf News: "The ICC is fully aware of the incident and we have updates on the matter. Right now the Pakistan Cricket Board is closely monitoring the matter and we do not want to be involved."
When asked whether the ICC would seek to issue penalties on Asif under the WADA code of conduct, Fitzgerald said: "We would not like to speculate until we receive the full information from the PCB. Any question of penalties being issued will depend on the charges levied against him."
The PCB announced the squad for the Asia Cup tournament yesterday. At the time of going to press Asif's name did not figure on the team list.
The team:
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