PCB to receive Asif lab reports today

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will today receive the result of laboratory tests of speedster Mohammed Asif, who is still detained in Dubai over alleged charges of possessing contraband while on way back home after playing Indian Premier League (IPL).

If the tests are proved against him, his arrival home can be delayed, if the tests are proved wrong, he will immediately leave for the homeland.

PCB official Nadeem Akram who is in Dubai sorting out the issue confirmed that he was in receipt of the test reports. Akram added that the public prosecutor would study the reports before arriving at a conclusion on the future course of action over Asif.

"Two reports have been received while one will be available today (June 5). The reports would be studied by the public prosecutor after which he will decide whether there is sufficient ground to press any charges against Asif or to release him," Nadeem Akram clarified.

With the PCB confident of arriving at a decision today, the public prosecutor's report will be vital.

The PCB has already replaced Asif with Sohail Khan for the Asia Cup. Asif's woes have just begun. With his harrowing stay in Dubai continuing, scrutiny begins for the speedster.

Asif has been in the Dubai airport detention centre since Sunday morning (June 1) when he arrived there for a 15-hour transit stay while returning from Mumbai on his way home to Karachi. However Asif was detained at the airport, allegedly for carrying contraband drugs according to reports.

It is still not clear what drug was found to be on his person - reports suggest it might have been hashish or opium.

Talking to media by phone, Asif asserted, ‘I still say that the airport officials found no opium from my custody. I was intoxicated and slapped an airport official.’

Talking to a UAE-based newspaper by phone, PCB Chief Selector Salahuddin Ahmed said, “It's a sad news for PCB because Asif is our frontline bowler and his absence will be a great loss to the team.

“He has been replaced by Sohail Khan, a leading wicket-taker in domestic cricket.”

The chief selector maintained, “Though Asif is shattered by the ordeal in Dubai, he is a strong lad and will be ready for the Asia Cup going to be held in Pakistan from June 24. He is most likely to miss Bangladesh tour because the team will be leaving for Dhaka on June 6.”

But addressing a Press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said, “We are just hoping that Asif gets back as soon as possible, hopefully in time for the Bangladesh tri-series."

He said the team will hold practice sessions today (Thursday) before leaving for Bangladesh on June 6."