PCB to seek Dubai permit for Asif again

	Mohammad Asif at the Lahore airport after his deportation from the UAE © AFP Enlarge
Related Links News : Asif was detained in Dubai for possessing opium News : PCB completes investigation in Asif case News : Mohammad Asif held in Dubai News : Pakistan board eager for Asif to return News : The Asif affair Players/Officials: Mohammad Asif Teams: Pakistan

The PCB will make a fresh appeal to Dubai authorities requesting them to revoke the travelling restrictions imposed on fast bowler Mohammad Asif. Asif, 27, was banned from entering the UAE after being stopped with a small quantity of opium at Dubai airport in June 2008. He spent 19 days in detention in the UAE and was barred from re-entering Dubai, though no criminal charges were pressed.

The board confirmed that it would soon make an attempt to get Asif's name cleared by the Dubai authorities as Pakistan had several series lined up in the UAE. "Asif is an important member of the team," Wasim Bari, PCB's chief operating officer, said. "We have some series lined up in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in coming months. We will play England in two Twenty20 Internationals next month in Dubai."

He said the board had also tried to get clearance for Asif to play in the UAE last year for the New Zealand series, but failed in its attempt. "We will make another attempt and try to request the authorities in Dubai to remove the conditions that bar Asif from travelling there."

Having been slapped a year-long suspension for testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone, Asif made his limited-overs comeback during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. A Test return soon followed when Pakistan toured New Zealand for a three-Test series.

Pakistan may also invite South Africa to a Test and ODI series later in the year in the UAE, with South Africa ruling out a visit to Pakistan for their scheduled tour in October-November this year due to security concerns.