Asif cannot play in UAE: PCB

Lahore: Mohammad Asif will not be able to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the authorities refused to revoke the travelling restrictions imposed on the controversial Pakistan pacer.

Asif was detained at Dubai airport for 19 days while returning from India after featuring in the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He was found in possession of opium but Dubai police deported him after they found the quantity of the drug was ''insufficient'' to bring a case against him.

The 26-year-old paceman was subsequently fined one million rupees (12,500 dollars) by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee.

PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari said a request was made to clear Asif.

''We made a request with the UAE authorities but they turned it down as it's not possible under their laws,'' Bari said.

''A similar request was also made last year and was also refused,'' he added.

Pakistan will play England in two Twenty20 matches later this month.

Pakistan has also invited South Africa for a Test and one-day series later in the year in the UAE, after South Africa refused to tour the troubled country in October-November this year due to security concerns.