By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The case of Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, being held here for allegedly possessing drugs while on his way home from India, will be presented before a Dubai court Sunday. Asif recorded his statement Thursday, after his blood and urine test results were received.
The fast bowler, who has now been dropped from the Pakistan team to tour Bangladesh this month, will be in custody till his case comes up Sunday.
“The results of Mohammad Asif’s blood and urine tests have been received,” Nadeem Akram, director of human resources and administration at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), told IANS here Thursday.
“The case will be presented before a Dubai court Sunday. Asif has not been charged with anything as yet,” said Akram. He has been rushed here by the PCB to help the cricketer fight the drug possession charges.
Asif recorded his statement at the office of the chief prosecutor here Thursday and was then sent back to the Dubai International Airport detention centre where he is being held.
When asked about the outcome of the tests as also the result of the laboratory test on the substance he was carrying, Akram said these have not been revealed yet.
The Pakistani fast bowler 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) semifinal for the Delhi Daredevils against Rajasthan Royals May 30.
Dubai airport customs authorities handed him over to the drugs unit of Dubai Police early Tuesday.
His blood and urine samples as well as the drugs found on him were sent for laboratory tests Tuesday.
The PCB had earlier backed the player, saying he was innocent till formally charged by UAE authorities.
Meanwhile, chief prosecutor Mohammad Rustom said that 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,” he told the Khaleej Times.
The PCB has also hired the services of a local legal firm, Angel & Afridi, to aid the cricketer.