ISLAMABAD – Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Asif has faced yet anothersetback.
He was sent back from Dubai airport recently for failing to possess propertravelling documents.
The bowler, who was traveling to Sharjah to take part in the amateur tapeball tournament, was flagged down at immigration and spent several hours atthe Dubai airport.
Asif last visited Dubai 10 years ago, where he was arrested after he wasfound carrying opium. He had been returning home after playing in theIndian Premier League and spent two weeks in the custody of Dubai police.He was later released after the-then Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman NaseemAshraf talked it out with the UAE officials.
According to sources, Asif arrived at the Dubai airport from Lahore to takepart in the tape ball tournament in Sharjah when he was asked to step asideby the authorities during scanning. He spent the next few hours in thecustody of immigration authorities and was later sent back to Pakistan.
He confirmed that he had been granted a special visa to visit Dubai and theauthorities had cleared his name before giving him the visa.