ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: Pakistan’s Senate sports committee on Tuesday recommended that troubled fast bowler Mohammad Asif be banned from cricket for life over his detention in Dubai last year for opium possession.

The 26-year-old paceman was detained in June for nearly three weeks as he was returning to Pakistan after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dubai police deported him without charge, saying the quantity of illegal drugs found was insufficient, but barred him from the United Arab Emirates for life.

Asif told prosecutors he had used the opium, but claimed he believed it was simply a herbal remedy that would boost his energy.

“Youngsters will be encouraged to take drugs if Asif is not banned for life,” committee member Enver Baig told a hearing at which officials from the sport’s governing body were asked to testify.

The committee demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launch a full probe into the incident, saying Asif’s actions had tainted the country’s reputation.

PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said he had not yet seen a report from Dubai prosecutors about the incident, even though it was leaked to the media on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Asif has asked the government and the PCB to allow him to travel to Mumbai for the IPL hearing.

“I have applied for permission from the PCB and the government to travel to Mumbai if possible. I am still waiting for a reply from them and will then decide what to do.”—Agencies

Our Sports Reporter adds: To Senator Baig’s recommendation of life ban on Asif, Ijaz said: “The issue is currently under investigation with the IPL.”

When the IPL, he added, would investigate the issue and then the BCCI would inform the ICC about the results. “It is the ICC to decide about the fate of Asif’s doping case, not the PCB.”