UAE authorities refuse to revoke Asif ban

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, will not be able to enter the UAE for this month's Twenty20 series against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had last week made a fresh appeal to Dubai authorities requesting them to revoke the travelling restrictions imposed Asif, who was banned from entering the UAE after being stopped with a small quantity of opium in June 2008, but it has been dismissed.

"We made a request with the UAE authorities but they turned it down as it's not possible under their laws," Wasim Bari, the PCB's chief operating officer, told AFP.

The PCB had earlier attempted to get clearance for Asif, 27, to play in the UAE last year for the New Zealand series, but failed in its attempt.

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 are set to play two Twenty20 internationals against England in Dubai to warm up for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies at the end of April. 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.