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Suspended Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been stopped at Delhi airport due to visa-related issues and could be deported, according to a PTI report. Asif was visiting India in order to sort out financial issues with the Delhi Daredevils, the IPL franchise he is contracted to.

PTI reported that Asif flew into Mumbai today and took a connecting flight to Delhi where he was stopped by immigration authorities at the airport for having “insufficient documents”.

“Asif has a five-year visa issued to him which states he can travel to India as an international cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League,” PTI quoted a source as saying. “But since he has gone on a private visit and not to play cricket, he was supposed to inform the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for clearance which he didn’t do.”

Asif has reportedly sought the help of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to solve the problem. He was originally scheduled to reach India on Friday to meet with Delhi Daredevils officials.

Delhi bought Asif for US$650,000 on a three-year contract, making him the second-most expensive Pakistan player in the league after Shahid Afridi. His future with the franchise, however, hangs in limbo after he tested positive for a banned steroid during the first edition of the tournament in 2008. He appealed against the finding though his case was yet to be resolved by a three-man tribunal appointed by the IPL. It is believed that the Daredevils have yet to pay Asif outstanding dues from last season, but that the payment may be linked to the fate of his doping case.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had also suspended Asif from all cricket and not given him a central contract after he tested positive. He is scheduled to travel to India again on January 24 to attend the hearing of the IPL tribunal which was moved back to Mumbai from London. The hearing had earlier been shifted out of Mumbai following November’s terror attacks in the city.

Source:Cricket News

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