The 25-year-old Asif, who was on his way back to Pakistan after a stint in the Indian Premier League, was detained on Sunday and will be produced before a magistrate later on Tuesday.

Already plagued by a series of controversies, the PCB sent Nadeem Akram to Dubai to coordinate with the Pakistan embassy officials and resolve the issue.

"We are in constant touch with the concerned authorities. Asif has not been arrested but detained by the custom officials. We have sent the substance recovered from his luggage for lab testing," Akram said from Dubai.

It was still not known which illegal drug Asif was carrying in his baggage but speculation was rife that he could have been in possession of opium or hashish.

"Once the tests are completed we will know what the substance really is, what it contains. But we will handle everything in a transparent manner," Akram said.

A PCB source said former Pakistan player and Director of National Cricket Academy Mudassar Nazar, who is in Dubai, has also been asked to help in the case.

The authorities in Dubai have conducted a blood test on Asif but results have not been divulged yet.