Decision on detained Pak cricketer Asif likely today

Dubai: The fate of Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, held here for allegedly possessing drugs, is likely to be known on Sunday after his case comes up before the Dubai chief prosecutor's office.

"Mohammad Asif's case is coming up before the office of the Dubai chief prosecutor today (Sunday)," Nadeem Akram, director of human resource and administration at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), told IANS.

"Asif himself will not be present at the hearing, but we expect to have a decision today," said Akram, who was deputed by PCB to help the cricketer secure his release.

Asked about the veracity of the reports appearing in a section of the press that the substance allegedly found on the fast bowler was opium, Akram said, "The results (of the laboratory tests) have not been revealed as yet and we cannot comment on such media reports."

The 25-year-old cricketer was detained by customs authorities at the Dubai International Airport last Sunday for allegedly possessing drugs.

He was on his way back to Lahore via Dubai from Mumbai, where he had played the Indian Premier League (IPL) semi-final for the Delhi Daredevils against Rajasthan Royals on May 30.

Dubai airport customs authorities handed him over to the drugs unit of Dubai Police Tuesday.

His blood and urine samples as well as the drugs found on him were sent for laboratory tests on Tuesday. The results of the tests were received last Thursday but these have not been made public so far.

Asif recorded his statement at the office of the chief prosecutor on Thursday and was then sent back to the Dubai International Airport detention centre where he is being held.

The PCB has, meanwhile, backed the player, saying he was innocent till formally charged by UAE authorities.

Meanwhile, chief prosecutor Mohammad Rustom said the court would go according to the test results.

"We will proceed according to reports of the tests from the Dubai General Department of Forensic Science," the Khaleej Times quoted him as saying.

PCB has hired the services of a local legal firm, Angel & Afridi, to help the cricketer.