Xuhaib
International Coach
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reopened the case involving dope-tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s detention in Dubai last summer.
According to sources, PCB will carry out a renewed inquiry after media reports revealed last week that Asif confessed to using Opium during interrogations carried out by authorities in Dubai last June.
Asif, who has taken 51 wickets from 11 Tests, was caught in possession of small amount of a banned substance at the Dubai airport while on his way home after featuring in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India. He was detained in Dubai for 19 days before being deported to Pakistan.
A PCB inquiry committee had at that time suggested Rs 7 million, fine and suspension of a few matches over Asif’s Dubai misadventure. But the committee’s report disappeared in mysterious circumstances after a regime change in the PCB set-up last autumn.
Shafqat Naghmi, the then PCB chief operating officer, who headed the inquiry committee, was sacked by new board chairman Ijaz Butt.
Sources said that the PCB was not interested in reopening the case but is now forced to do that in the wake of several media reports highlighting the findings of the Dubai authorities. Another reason why the PCB wants to resume investigations is to settle the issue of expenses incurred on Asif’s legal assistance that was provided by the board.
The PCB spent Rs 6.3 million on legal assistance for Asif in Dubai. According to sources, the board has sent a notice to Asif to pay the amount. But the pacer has refused to pay back, saying that he never asked the PCB to hire such expensive lawyers.
“I never fought the case then why should I pay,” he was quoted as saying in an interview on Tuesday. “Its speculations,” he said.
But he admitted that the board will take steps to sort out the matter soon. Meanwhile, Asif is also struggling to settle another serious matter pertaining to a positive dope test in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I want this nightmare to get over as soon as possible,” Asif told the ‘Daily Jang’ newspaper.
“I need a lot of money to fight my legal battle over the dope test but am totally broke because of the ban and all,” he said. “The board owes me a lot of money but it has refused to release it,” he lamented.
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I guess there is a moral to Mohd Asif's story for all young cricketers. No matter how much talent you have but if you refuse to use your brain and continue to act like an idiot then sooner or later all the opportunities will be taken away from you. 2 yr ban, 5 yr ban or even life ban, i am certain Asif will never ever forget this ordeal and must be so desperately wishing he could go back in time and amend his actions.
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reopened the case involving dope-tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s detention in Dubai last summer.
According to sources, PCB will carry out a renewed inquiry after media reports revealed last week that Asif confessed to using Opium during interrogations carried out by authorities in Dubai last June.
Asif, who has taken 51 wickets from 11 Tests, was caught in possession of small amount of a banned substance at the Dubai airport while on his way home after featuring in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India. He was detained in Dubai for 19 days before being deported to Pakistan.
A PCB inquiry committee had at that time suggested Rs 7 million, fine and suspension of a few matches over Asif’s Dubai misadventure. But the committee’s report disappeared in mysterious circumstances after a regime change in the PCB set-up last autumn.
Shafqat Naghmi, the then PCB chief operating officer, who headed the inquiry committee, was sacked by new board chairman Ijaz Butt.
Sources said that the PCB was not interested in reopening the case but is now forced to do that in the wake of several media reports highlighting the findings of the Dubai authorities. Another reason why the PCB wants to resume investigations is to settle the issue of expenses incurred on Asif’s legal assistance that was provided by the board.
The PCB spent Rs 6.3 million on legal assistance for Asif in Dubai. According to sources, the board has sent a notice to Asif to pay the amount. But the pacer has refused to pay back, saying that he never asked the PCB to hire such expensive lawyers.
“I never fought the case then why should I pay,” he was quoted as saying in an interview on Tuesday. “Its speculations,” he said.
But he admitted that the board will take steps to sort out the matter soon. Meanwhile, Asif is also struggling to settle another serious matter pertaining to a positive dope test in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I want this nightmare to get over as soon as possible,” Asif told the ‘Daily Jang’ newspaper.
“I need a lot of money to fight my legal battle over the dope test but am totally broke because of the ban and all,” he said. “The board owes me a lot of money but it has refused to release it,” he lamented.
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I guess there is a moral to Mohd Asif's story for all young cricketers. No matter how much talent you have but if you refuse to use your brain and continue to act like an idiot then sooner or later all the opportunities will be taken away from you. 2 yr ban, 5 yr ban or even life ban, i am certain Asif will never ever forget this ordeal and must be so desperately wishing he could go back in time and amend his actions.