ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Cricketer Mohammad Asif was detained in New Delhi on Saturday, reportedly for not carrying complete travel documents.

Sources in the sports ministry, however, said they were not aware of his arrest, as the fast bowler was on a personal visit.

They said Asif often travelled to India and no such thing had happened before. “It is strange if he has been detained. We will investigate the matter after contacting the authorities concerned.”

No official of the Pakistan Cricket Board was available for comments on the issue.

According to PTI, the 25-year-old paceman, who had landed at the Delhi airport via Mumbai, was stopped by immigration officials for not carrying complete travel documents and after interrogation they wanted to deport him.

“Asif has a five-year visa which states that he can travel to India as an international cricketer to play in the Indian Premier League. 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 did not do,” sources said.

Asif has reportedly sought help from the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi to sort out the problem.