Afailed dope test a couple of years ago, a bust-up with a team mate in the Pakistan dressing room and now, continued detention at the Dubai airport for carrying what is alleged to be contraband drugs. Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s immense talent has always been balanced out with generous doses of controversy.And while Asif stayed embroiled in the latest mess, the beleaguered pacer, detained here since Sunday, did get a mild reprieve today with the Dubai authorities not framing any charges against him.According to Dubai customs officials, Asif was caught with 0.24gm of an illegal substance in his wallet and the substance was sent for laboratory tests. The 25-year-old was returning home after playing a crucial part in the Delhi Daredevils’ run to the semi-finals. Immediate blood tests only confirmed that Asif was intoxicated.Sohail Khan in Pak squadThere was more bad news for the fast bowler though. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues to try and get him released, they have dropped him from the squad for the tri-series in Bangladesh, also involving India.The selectors replaced Asif with young fast bowler Sohail Khan in the squad for the series starting June 8. A board official said the selectors consulted the PCB, captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson before calling up Sohail.“We really don’t know when the Asif issue will be resolved and he doesn’t even have a visa for Bangladesh. Because of these logistical issues it has been decided to replace him with Sohail,” one official said.The official confirmed that Asif would not join the team even if he was released in the next 24 hours, erasoning that the fast bowler would not be in the right frame of mind following his ordeal. The board would also like to talk to him regarding the whole episode, the official said. His replacement, Sohail, made his debut against in the one-day series against Zimbabwe earlier this year.Waiting for testsAsif’s release now hinges on the outcome of the urine test he had undergone after being detained, said Ahsan Ullah Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE. Pakistani diplomats and cricket board officials are optimistic of Asif’s early release, while refuting rumours that he had been released in the morning. Earlier, Khan was quoted as saying that Asif’s detention was a result of a misunderstanding and that he was hopeful of the pacer flying home soon.Release could be delayedHowever, the PCB is concerned that, even after being cleared, Asif’s return home may be delayed with Dubai going through a period of mourning following a death in the royal family.“As far as we know there has been no fresh development. Because there is a period of mourning in Dubai, his possible release could be delayed,” Shafqat Naghmi, PCB chief operating officer, said today. “It might take some more time for this matter to be resolved,” the PCB official said.Another senior board official rubbished media reports claiming the PCB was pulling strings. “It is a high profile case and will be investigated as per their law. If the substance is contraband or banned, Asif is in trouble,” he said.
