The detention of Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif for allegedly carrying contraband drugs has left his parents, friends and neighbours shocked. His parents are so much annoyed by the media attention on the whole episode that they locked their home and decided to stay somewhere else since the incident grabbed headlines. A Geo News correspondent visited Asif's ancestral home in Mahhi Key, some 14 kilometres from Sheikhupura town, and found people uncomfortable and unhappy with the media attention the incident is getting worldwide. Most of his neighbours and friends were recluctant to speak on the matter. "This is because of the Baradari system that prevails here. No one wants to talk about the other and face problems later on," said one of Asif's neighbours. Some of his friends did finally agree to speak but not near his home but at the Sheikhupura stadium where Asif starting playing cricket. One of the friends said, "Asif was a role model for many youngsters and Sheikhupura was very proud of him. But after this incident we feel ashamed. He has let us down". Another said he had played with Asif at the club level and he never did anything wrong in front of him. "What he does privately I don't know. But yes we had started hearing about things that don't befit a cricketer," he stated. "He has changed a lot since he played for Pakistan. He was friendly and always roaming with us but now he no longer wants to speak to any of us and has become arrogant," quipped another friend of the beleagured paceman. Former skipper Rashid Latif was of the opinion that players coming from humble backgrounds need proper grooming before they take climb the fame ladder. "There is a need to have a proper grooming programme for them so that they can carry themselves well when they play for Pakistan. That is why we are seeing more and more of these young players getting involved in unethical and unbecoming behaviour," Latif said.
