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Deported Asif not cleared for Pakistan’s UAE trip

KARACHI - Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif will not be able to play in the United Arab Emirates as its authorities have refused to revoke a travel ban on him, an official said Sunday.

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The 27-year-old Asif was deported from the United Arab Emirates after being detained at Dubai airport last June when a small quantity of opium was found in his possession.

The fast bowler was detained for 19 days before the authorities deported him, saying the quantity of the banned drug was insignificant to make a court case.

Asif was on his way from India after featuring in the first edition of the Indian Premier League, where he tested positive for a banned drug. That earned him a one-year ban from all cricket, which ended in September last year.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Wasim Bari confirmed a request was made to clear Asif.

Pakistan will be playing England in two Twenty20 matches later this month and some other series are also lined up, ‘so we made a request with the UAE authorities but they turned it down as it’s not possible under their laws,’ Bari told AFP.

A similar request was also made last year and was also refused, said Bari.

Pakistan has also invited South Africa for a Test and one-day series later in the year in the UAE, after South Africa refused to tour the troubled country in October-November this year due to security concerns.

Asif has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler since his return. He took 19 wickets in the three-Test series in New Zealand and another 13 in as many Tests against Australia on the tour which ended on Friday.

Bari said Asif would not be considered for the selection of the two Twenty20 matches, for which the team will be announced on Monday.

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