Asif detained in Dubai

Mohammad Asif was travelling through Dubai Airport

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A Pakistan Cricket Board official claims Mohammad Asif has been detained, and not arrested, after a powder was found in his wallet on his way through Dubai International Airport.

Fast bowler Asif, in the Pakistan squad for the tri-series against Bangladesh and India which begins this weekend, was stopped on his way to Lahore from Mumbai after playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the recently concluded Indian Premier League.

Nadeem Akram, human resources manager for the PCB, said Asif had been given the substance by a hakeem, a traditional Islamic healer.

Akram said: “Yes, he has not been arrested. He has been detained at Dubai airport.

“Apparently it was some drugs given to him by a doctor. It was a very small quantity, it was in his wallet. A small bit of powder.

“It is a medicine given to him by a hakeem in Dubai. It had been given to him some five to six months ago and he had forgotten about it.”

Akram has been sent to Dubai by the PCB to liaise with embassy officials and has confirmed the 25-year-old Asif had been held for the last 36 hours.