ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has confirmed that fast bowler Mohammad Asif was in possession of opium when he was detained in Dubai earlier this year and has recommended the player be banned and fined.

“It was proved during our investigation that Asif was caught with a small amount of opium at the Dubai airport,” Shafqat Naghmi, PCB’s former chief operating officer and member of its inquiry committee, said on Tuesday.

In June, on his way home from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament, Asif was detained for 19 days in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), after authorities allegedly found a substance containing opium in his wallet at the airport.

The 25-year-old national team player was accused of carrying 0.01 ounces (0.25 grams) of opium, but he tested negative for drugs and was released without being charged. But he was questioned by Dubai authorities for drug possession and smuggling while he remained in custody at the airport’s detention centre.

“He [Asif] was actually deported from Dubai as the amount of opium was not enough to lay down charges,” Naghmi said.

The PCB later formed a three-member inquiry committee — headed by Naghmi — and suspended Asif from playing international and national cricket after it emerged the paceman had tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in the IPL in May.

Asif has filed an appeal with the IPL drug tribunal in Mumbai, India and his next hearing will be held on Nov 29.

“We have completed the draft of the report, but the new officials in the PCB have not so far asked us to submit it,” Naghmi stated.

Earlier this month, Naghmi was replaced by former Test fast bowler Saleem Altaf on the PCB while Ijaz Butt took over as the cricket’s board’s new chairman, replacing Dr Nasim Ashraf.

“The new chairman didn’t talk to me after his appointment, but even now if the PCB just sends me a letter to submit our findings on Asif’s case, I will do so,” Naghmi said.

The former PCB official further said that the other two members of the committee — former PCB Director of Human Resources Nadeem Akram and present Director of Cricket Operations (International) Zakir Khan — have recommended a ban of several international matches and financial penalty on Asif.

“I have already drafted the report in which we have also taken into account the statement of Asif that he recorded before all three of us,” Naghmi said.

“The draft is with me and I just have to sign it and send it to the PCB.”

Naghmi also said the investigation found that Asif had violated a number of PCB rules on players code of conduct.

“I can’t reveal exactly what we have recommended, but I can say that Asif breached a number of rules and regulations for which we suggested a ban of several international matches and also financial penalty,” he said.

In 2006, Asif and fellow Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar were withdrawn from the Champions Trophy after testing positive for nandrolone during the PCB’s internal testing.

Naghmi said that it’s now up to the new PCB board to pursue the matter of Asif’s case.

“It’s up to the chairman to decide and we can only give our recommendations,” he said.

Asif was compared with Australian great Glen McGrath for his smooth bowling action and accuracy as he took 51 wickets in 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 23.13. In the 31 One-day Internationals, Asif has taken 36 wickets.

Meanwhile, sources said the Indian Cricket League may soon have some more Pakistani players under its umbrella as it is eyeing to sign fast bowlers Asif and Sohail Khan for the next season.

Sources close to the players said that both the pacers were under consideration to join the ICL bandwagon which already has signed some 18 players from Pakistan, the most recent being senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

The source said that Asif had been approached with an offer, while the ICL had been given good feedback on the young pacer Sohail Khan who has played a few One-day Internationals and has been successful in domestic circuit.

“Asif is pretty frustrated that the PCB has not accepted his request to provide him legal support in his doping offence case with the IPL drugs inquiry tribunal,” one source said. “Asif is also upset because the Board has put on hold all his payments this year because of his doping offence,” the source added.

He said Asif personally was not happy with the inquiry being held into his doping offence by the IPL tribunal and had discussed the ICL option with some players.

The IPL drugs inquiry tribunal will hear Asif again on Nov 29 and the PCB has said it can’t offer any support to the pacer until he is cleared. “The ICL is interested in both players but will wait and see what happens on Nov 29,” a source said.—Agencies