Islamabad, Nov 19 (ANI): It has been established that the suspended Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif possessed opium when he was detained at the Dubai Airport earlier this year, and hence, he has been recommended for both ban and fine, said former PCB chief operating officer and member of its inquiry committee Shafqat Naghmi.

"It was proved during our investigation that Asif was caught with a small amount of opium at the Dubai airport," The News quoted Naghmi as saying while addressing a press conference.

While on his back home in June this year after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament, Asif was detained for 19 days in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after authorities allegedly found a substance containing opium in his wallet at the airport.

He was accused of carrying 0.01 ounces (0.25 grams) of opium, but he tested negative for drugs and was released without being charged. But, he was questioned by Dubai authorities for drug possession and smuggling while he remained in custody at the airport's detention center. "He was actually deported from Dubai as the amount of opium was not enough to lay down charges," Naghmi said while replying to a question.

He added: "We have completed the draft of the report, but the new officials in the PCB have not so far asked us to submit it. The new chairman didn't talk to me after his appointment, but even now if the PCB just sends me a letter to submit our findings on Asif's case, I will do so."

Later, the PCB formed a three-member inquiry committee - headed by Naghmi - and suspended Asif from playing international and national cricket after it emerged the paceman had tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in the IPL in May.

Meanwhile, Asif has filed an appeal with the IPL drug tribunal in Mumbai, India and his next hearing will be held on November 29.

Earlier this month, Naghmi was replaced by former test fast bowler Saleem Altaf on the PCB while Ijaz Butt took over as the cricket's board's new chairman, replacing Nasim Ashraf.

The former PCB official said that the other two members of the committee - former PCB Director of Human Resources Nadeem Akram and present Director of Cricket Operations (International) Zakir Khan - have recommended a ban of several international matches and financial penalty on Asif.

"I have already drafted the report in which we have also taken into account the statement of Asif that he recorded before all three of us," Naghmi said and added: "The draft is with me and I just have to sign it and send it to the PCB."(ANI)

Islamabad, Nov 19 (ANI): Due to lack of sponsors, Indian women tennis ace Sania Mirza's proposed Pakistan tour has reportedly been postponed.

The tour was jointly planned by the PTF (Pakistan Tennis Federation) and the (ITF) Indian Tennis Federation to promote tennis and improve bilateral relations between the two federations, reported the Daily Times.

It added that the PTF had announced that it would host top Indian women tennis star in November or December this year, but lack of sponsorship forced the PTF to postpone the scheduled tour of Sania.

During Pakistan tour, Sania was also scheduled to play a doubles match against Pakistan's top tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi. (ANI)

Karachi, Nov 8 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has reportedly urged the country's national team to learn a tip or two from US President-elect Barack Obama about how to focus and discipline in one's activity to register a win.

He said that Obama's win has proved that everything was possible if done with focus and discipline, and Pakistan cricketers should draw inspiration from this.

"He did it with focus and discipline and I hope the team also learn from this," Alam said and added that the world must "get a lesson from Obama's win which got an African-American into the White House. That proves anything is possible and Pakistan can take inspiration from that."

"I asked the team what the miracle of the century was, and someone rightly said it is Obama getting into the White House," the Daily Times quoted Alam as telling reporters on the sidelines of the team's two-day training camp ahead of a three-match one-day series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi. (ANI)

Kolkata, Nov 6 (ANI): As former Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly plays his last test, fans at his hometown in Kolkata express dismay over his decision to retire.

The 36-year-old, left-handed batsman, Ganguly had announced at the start of the India-Australia series that it would be his last.

He was named in the squad for the first two tests despite being dropped for a premier domestic game, seen as a selection match, following a poor series in Sri Lanka in August.

Ganguly's fans, who otherwise used to celebrate cricketer's achievements were sad and gloomy as their 'hero' is playing his last match in Nagpur against Australia.

"Saurav will retire after Nagpur test it is a sad thing for me as well for all his supporters in Bengal. When Saurav used score big in his innings we used to celebrate here at this place only and today he is playing his last game so we are feeling very sad. And the saddest part is that no Bengali in India can play such excellent cricket in 50-100 years and become the captain of the team. We believe that whatever Saurav did is unforgettable for entire country," said Sunil Halder, Ganguly's fan.

Holding posters of their icon they said Sourav should not call quits as still a lot of cricket was left in him and can continue his game for the next 2-3 years.

"Saurav is a kind of person who never says anything through words to prove himself but always gives a fitting answer by his bat. He used to score good runs in his team but still he was sent out of the team. And his day will end now but we feel that he still has a lot of cricket alive within him and has a lot to give to us and to the country. He himself has accepted this as well," said Biplab Paul, another fan.

Meanwhile West Bengal Government also feels that Ganguly is like a brand ambassador of the state and can definitely help in the development and industrialization of the state.

"I don't have any plan but I will be very much pleased if he gets involved into developmental work or in any other work. That will be very much useful to us for the industrialization and development. He is an idol and icon of Bengal not only for sports but for other purposes also. His services can be utilized. He can advice us on sports development and he can advise us on industrial development," Ashok Bhattacharya, Minister for Urban Development, West Bengal.

Ganguly, a veteran of 109 test and 311 one-day internationals, faced turbulence several times in his career including his first outing in international cricket in 1992, which followed an interregnum of four years.

In 1996, he made a comeback to national team during India's tour to England where he along with Rahul Dravid made their test debut.

Ganguly, known mainly for his silken off-side drives has so far amassed 6,888 runs with 15 centuries and 34 half centuries in test matches. However, he has been more prolific in the one-day internationals with more than 11, 363 runs with 22 three-figure scores.

India's four senior batsmen are under increasing pressure ahead of the four-test series against top-ranked Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9.

A debate on their advancing ages began after India's test series defeat in Sri Lanka in August where the 'fab four' Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Vangipurappu Laxman fared poorly. (ANI)