Withdrawal not because of incriminating evidence: Asif

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif on Saturday clarified that he had withdrawn his appeal to lift the provisional suspension as he got the documents late from the ICC and not because there was incriminating evidence against him in the spot fixing scandal.

Asif said further steps in the matter will be taken after his lawyers go through the details of the documents provided by the sport's world governing body.

Asif surprised the cricket world yesterday by withdrawing his challenge to the ICC suspension, which was due to be heard later this month in Doha, Qatar.

"I simply decided to withdraw my appeal for now because we got the complete documents relating to the matter late from the ICC and my lawyers want to make a proper and detailed case to the allegations and suspension," Asif said.

"I have not given up my intentions of challenging these allegations against me. I am innocent and I have done nothing wrong. We will file a detailed explanation not only against the suspension but the spot fixing allegations too. The reports (incriminating evidence against him) are untrue. We made the decision because the lawyers need more time to contest the case," the pacer added.

Asif, who got married recently, returned from London after meeting with his lawyers.

The ICC announced yesterday that Asif had withdrawn his challenge to the provisional suspension imposed on him on September 2 pending determination of the charges brought against him under the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code.

Asif, fellow pace bowler Muhammad Aamir and Test captain Salman Butt were banned from playing by the ICC for allegedly agreeing to bowl deliberate no balls in the fourth Test against England in August. Aamir and Butt are still appealing their bans.

"I have got married recently and I am starting a new life. The advise I got was that not to rush things and take time in dealing with these issues," he said.

"I am confident I will make a comeback to Pakistan cricket. It has given me a lot," the pacer said.

The ICC also announced that following Asif's withdrawal, the hearing of the appeals of Butt and Aamir would now be held in Dubai on the same dates of October 30 and 31st.

The hearing was first scheduled in Doha because Asif is banned from entering the UAE state of Dubai as he was arrested and kept in detention for 19-days at the Dubai airport in 2008 for possession of Marijuana.

Although no criminal charges were brought against him, he was barred from entering Dubai.