Lawson fears for Asif's future

Lahore, Jun 6 (UNI) Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson has said the detention of seamer Mohammad Asif in Dubai for alleged possession of an illegal substance in his wallet would disrupt his career.

The 25-year-old fast bowler was held at Dubai airport on Sunday while returning to Pakistan after a domestic tournament in India and was scheduled to appear before a prosecutor yesterday.

''It's unfortunate and would be disruptive for Asif,'' said Lawson, dealing with the latest in a series of controversies to hit the troubled Pakistani team.

''Personally I don't know the facts, we feel for him, we hope it turns out well for him. We have been thinking about him,'' he said.

''He has been missing quite often due to injury but was making a successful comeback from injury and played against Bangladesh in April and the tri-series would have been one more step on his way back to full form.'' Asif was named in the 16-man Pakistan squad for next week's tri-series in Bangladesh, which also features India, but was dropped and replaced by Sohail Khan on June 4.

Pakistan open the tri-series against Bangladesh on June 8.

They play India two days later, while India play Bangladesh on June 12. The final is on June 14.

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