Muhammad Ali (blue) of Pakistan seen here in action at the 2008 Asian Beach Games.

DHAKA Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Ali, who is strong contender for gold medal in South Asian Games, had to spend an agonizing night in detention at Zia International Airport after being for mistaken for a wanted Bangladeshi criminal.

Chief of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt.Gen. (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan when contacted on Thursday told APP that he was detained in a case of mistaken identities as his name was matched with a wanted criminal on Bangladesh's no-fly list.

He, however said, Muhammad Ali was interrogated at the airport and Pakistan Foreign Office was fully involved in securing his honorable release.

Ali had arrived with the fourth Pakistani contingent on Tuesday and was taken into custody by police before his release from the airport.

Associated Secretary Col. (Retd) Muhammad Yahya said that the wrestler was okay and fully focused and looking ahead to achieve glory for the country.