PCB summons Asif

A Pakistan committee investigating the Dubai detention of Mohammad Asif on charges of possessing illegal drugs ordered the fast bowler Monday to appear before its panel on June 1.

The 27-year-old paceman was stopped at Dubai airport on June 1, 2008 found in possession of 0.24 grams of opium while he was travelling back to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He was detained for 19 days before being deported after Dubai police determined that the quantity of drug was insufficient to make a case. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a three-member committee to probe the case before deciding whether to select the paceman for the national team.

The committee, headed by former captain Wasim Bari, warned Asif to attend on June 1 despite flouting PCB regulations by flying to Britain, where he is playing in club cricket, without giving prior notice.

The committee wants proof to back up Asif's claims that he was not deported.

"Asif told us verbally that he can enter the UAE, but we need a document to back up his claim," Bari said.

If Asif fails to appear before the committee, the committee is likely to fine him heavily.

The IPL slapped Asif with a one-year ban after he tested positive for nandrolone. His ban expires in September this year.

The PCB also tested him positive for nandrolone in 2006. He was banned for one year and pace partner Shoaib Akhtar for two years. Those bans were overturned on appeal.

LAHORE, AFP