Asif denies immigration problem, meets Daredevils management

New Delhi/Karachi, Jan 18 (PTI) Suspended Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif's personal visit to Delhi turned out to be highly controversial amid reports that he faced immigration problems, a fact which the bowler today vehemently denied.
Ever since landing in Delhi, Asif had problems with airport authorities for carrying insufficient travel documents but the dope-tainted paceman today came out with a statement through Delhi Daredevils, his team in the Indian Premier League, dismissing those reports.

"I was very pained by the reports in the newspapers and television this morning about my arrival to New Delhi. I wish to clarify that there was absolutely no problem at the Delhi airport on my arrival," Asif claimed.

"I came to New Delhi via Mumbai and I was welcomed whole-heartedly there and all immigration formalities were concluded there ... I am very happy to be in New Delhi and India once again," said the Pakistani player.

"My visit to Delhi is like coming from one home to another. I hope to meet my teammates like Virender Sehwag once again," Asif said in the statement.

Despite his denial of ever being detained or arrested by Indian immigration authorities, sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed he faced problems and avoided being deported only after the intervention of the Pakistan embassy in Delhi.

"Given the current state of relations between Pakistan and India, it is understandable that no one wants this incident highlighted," a PCB source said. PTI