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Fast bowler Mohammad Asif was detained at Dubai airport this year for possessing opium, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) three-man inquiry committee said on Tuesday.
"During the course of our investigation we went through the report of the Dubai authorities and they said Asif had a small quantity of opium on him when he was detained," Shafqat Naghmi said.
The PCB's former chief operating officer added the player was eventually deported without charge because the quantity of opium, the raw ingredient of heroin, was small.
Saleem Altaf, who succeeded Naghmi as the PCB's chief operating officer, refused to confirm the Asif report.
"I can't say anything because the inquiry committee never submitted its report to the board," said Altaf.
Naghmi, however, said it would be handed over soon.
"There is no doubt Asif violated the board's anti-doping policy by carrying opium and we will recommend that he be banned and fined," added Naghmi.
ANGRY ASIF
Nadeem Akram, another member of the inquiry committee, told Geo News they had recommended a ban of eight to 10 games.
Asif, who has played in 11 Test matches and was suspended by the PCB for failing a dope test during this year's Indian Premier League, was detained in Dubai from June 1-19.
He reacted angrily to the latest disclosures.
"No one from the inquiry committee had any right to make these things public without first listening to my side of the story," said Asif.
"I don't think they have the authority to do such things and it is nothing but a publicity scandal."
Altaf was also surprised Naghmi had gone public with the committee's report before giving it to the board.
"This inquiry has been going on since July and we still don't have the report or recommendations of the committee," he said.
