'Knew Asif was a troublemaker'

Says Nadeem Akram, the PCB official, who helped Mohammad Asif during the doping fiasco

Says Nadeem Akram, the PCB official, who helped Mohammad Asif during the doping fiasco

Nadeem Akram shared a very close relationship with beleaguered fast bowler Mohammad Asif. The former PCB official was instrumental in corresponding with Pakistan Embassy officials in UAE when Asif was detained at Dubai airport for possession of contraband drugs, in June 2008.


Worst phase of his life: Mohammad Asifu00a0 Pic/AFP

During his stint as PCB's Director, HR and Administration, he spent countless hours with Asif, trying to unfetter the quick bowler out of a series of dilemmas. Akram confessed to have lost hope in Asif.

"One word to describe him is a moron," Akram told MiD DAY.u00a0"He has come from such a humble background, but has failed to come to grip, with money and fame he has received in the last six to seven years. His feet are not firmly on the ground, and that's why he's always in trouble," he added.

Akram recalled the discussion he had with him following the Champions Trophy in India, in 2006, when Asif and Shoaib Akhtar were sent back to Pakistan for consumption of nandrolone.
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"I had a very intimate discussion with him and he was trying to explain everything that happened. To me, he seemed a very innocent and gullible guy. But then, he got into wrong company," he said.

"After that, when he got into trouble again in Dubai, I realised that he was a troublemaker," he added.
Akram pleaded to the PCB not to give Asif, if proven guilty, another opportunity. "Unstable and dishonest characters like him should be ousted immediately," he concluded.

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