Pakistan Cricket Board lenient about Asif's TV appearance

Lahore, Apr 12(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a lenient view of fast bowler Mohammad Asif's repeated television appearance, despite the board's strict code of conduct, which bars centrally contracted players from interacting with the media without permission.

Asif has been speaking to the media and made a television appearance to defend himself against his estranged girlfriend Veena Malik's allegations that he took money from her and is not returning the loan.

"Asif is speaking on what is purely a personal matter for him and he has every right to defend himself," The Daily Times quoted a PCB official, as saying.

"He is not speaking on cricket or any other cricket related matter. It is his personal issue, that is why we have taken a lenient view of the episode," the official added.

The official pointed out that Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed,was strictly implementing the new code of conduct in the Twenty20 World Cup training camp in Lahore, and no player was allowed to speak to the media without permission.

"If there is any violation of the new clauses, the player will be disciplined immediately," the official said.

Veena Malik, a noted film and TV actress, has claimed that she had supported Asif both "emotionally" and "financially" during his bad days, and now she wants her money back.

She has sued Asif for recovery of Rs. 3.4 million.

Malik also claimed that Asif had proposed to her on Valentine's Day, but she had refused as she wanted to concentrate on her career.

Asif has rubbished Malik's allegations.

"She supported me a lot, but this money business is not correct," Asif said.

Asif was romantically linked to Malik, and there were rumours last year that both had married secretly in London. This has been denied by both. (ANI)