Asif to travel to SA via London by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Mohammad Asif
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10

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DateLine: 15th September 2009

 

The PCB will send disgraced paceman Mohammad Asif to South Africa for the upcoming Champions Trophy via London.

 

The rest of the squad will travel via Dubai.

 

The PCB took the decision so that any untoward situation may not arise if the cricketer, who spent 19 days in detention at Dubai airport after contraband substances were found in his possession, arrives in the city.

 

Wasim Bari, COO of the board confirmed that Asif was being sent via London on September 21, while others would leave for Johannesburg on September 17 via Dubai.

 

"Right now we are focusing on the Champions Trophy so we are sending him via London to avoid any untoward situation," Bari said.

 

Bari though said that the PCB has sought clarification from Dubai authorities over the status of Asif's entry into Dubai.

 

"We have a series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai against New Zealand coming up, so we need to be sure beforehand he can travel to Dubai again," Bari said.

 

Bari said Asif was a key player and obviously after the Champions Trophy the board would try to sort out the matter with the Dubai authorities.

 

"We have sought clarification and hopefully he would be able to play anywhere once he completes his 12-month ban for testing positive in the IPL," he added.