The PCB has prepared a provisional list of 24 players for the "home" series against New Zealand, which includes Mohammad Asif.

By Bipin Dani

Interestingly, the "home" series will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital Abu Dhabi (three ODIs) and Dubai (two Twenty20s).

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The list of the 24 has been prepared so as to avail the UAE visas for the players. Notably, disgraced pacer Asif, banned from entering in the UAE for possesing contraband substance, has found a place in the provisional list.

A source close to the PCB said, "One of the selectors spoke to a PCB Governing Body member requesting him to put forward Asif's case for discussion for overturning his ban in the UAE for this particular series.

"Within 2-3 days, the PCB Governing Body and the HR Department will take over and advise the selectors on Asif's final selection. The selectors are also awaiting Ijaz Butt's and Wasim Bari's arrival from South Africa to discuss more on the matter.

"Efforts will be made at the highest level (through diplomatic channels) to ensure that Asif is able to play on the UAE soil for the series against New Zealand," the source added.

Asif was carrying 0.24 grams of opium when he was held in Dubai for nearly three weeks in June last year and subsequently banned by the UAE authorities.

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