Pakistan U-19 player detained (23 January 1999)

23 January 1999

Pakistan U-19 player detained

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 22: A Pakistan Under-19 player was detained at the Lahore international airport on Friday after a gun was recovered from one of his bags.

Imran Nazir, an immensely talented opener, was held by the airport security staff when a gun was recovered from his bag containing his playing kit.

The player was travelling with rest of the Pakistan Under-19 team which arrived here later in the day for the training camp scheduled to begin on Saturday.

Azmat Rana, an official of the Pakistan Under-19 team, late night confirmed that Imran Nazir has been detained. However, he termed the incident as `mishap'

"Actually what happened was a relative of Imran Nazir put the gun in his kit bag. Unfortunately, he arrived at the airport without checking his bag," Rana said.

Rana climed that Imran Nazir was a very innocent boy. "He has denied having any pistol.

"He has suspected that the gun belonged to his relative who had left for his home in Gujranwala.

"Imran Nazir has not been put behind bars. But as soon as his relative is traced, he would be released. Hopefully, the boy would join the team in a couple of days," Rana said.

The former Test batsman said since it was 8:30 p.m. when the incident took place, he could not inform the cricket authorities. "They will be informed on Saturday morning. As far as disciplinary action is concerned, it was upto what report Mohsin Khan (the manager of the U-19 team) writes."

Team sources said Imran Nazir was tumbling and crying when the gun was recovered from his kit bag. "He started crying, pleading that he was innocent and it was a mischief by one of his cousins. Being very close to him, I know that he comes from a very respectable family and has never indulged in any mischievous activity."

Meanwhile, the South African Under-19 team arrives here on Saturday on a six-week tour during which it will play three `Tests', as many limited overs games and two three-day fixtures.

The South Africans open the tour from Hyderabad when they play a three-day game from Jan 26. They meet Pakistan in the first `Test' at Karachi between Jan 31 and Feb 3.

Test batsman Hasan Raza has already been appointed as captain of the Pakistan U-19 team.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)