PCB suspends probe into Asif's Dubai sojourn

Lahore, Oct 29 (UNI) The new regime of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants Mohammad Asif to return to the national squad and has shelved the probe into the dope tainted pacer's misadventure in Dubai.

New PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and Director General Saleem Altaf are favourably disposed towards Asif and will support him in his legal battle against doping charges.

The previous PCB regime had initiated a probe after Asif was detained at the Dubai airport when a banned substance was found in his possession. But the proceedings were suspended in August after former PCB chief Nasim Ashraf decided to step down as the PCB chairman. The board had decided that the probe will resume once a new chairman is appointed.

However, the probe has now been shelved as the PCB officials are yet to locate a report that the PCB supposedly received from the Dubai authorities regarding Asif's detention.

''It was widely reported in the media that the PCB received a report from the Dubai authorities regarding Asif's detention. It was said then that an inquiry has been completed on the basis of that report,'' 'The News' quoted sources as saying. ''But strangely there are no signs of that report. The new PCB management has been unable to locate it.'' The PCB stance will come as a ray of hope for Asif, who is facing a possible life ban for repeated dope offences.

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