Dean Jones deported from Pakistan airport
Former Australia Test batsman Dean Jones was deported by immigration authorities at the Islamabad international airport on Sunday for not having a valid visa to travel to Pakistan.
Jones, who has been named head coach of the Islamabad United team in the Pakistan Super League, landed at the Benazir Bhutto international airport early morning only find that his Pak visa had expired.
“But we found out that he didn’t have a valid visa to enter Pakistan and we have deported him as per immigration laws,” an official in the immigration department at the airport told PTI.
Jones reached Islamabad to take part in the players draft to be held for the five franchises on Monday and Tuesday in Lahore.
Sources said that Jones had tried to contact the Islamabad franchise owners and the Pakistan Cricket Board to help him resolve the visa issue but was told he didn’t have a valid visa.
Jones is among a list of foreign coaches signed up by the PSL franchises for the tournament to be held in UAE from February 4.
Jones has visited Pakistan in the past for commentary assignments and recently also appeared as an expert for the state owned television channel.
“He didn’t realise that his visa had expired for his stay in Pakistan. Once he has a valid visa he can comeback,” the
immigration official said.
Jones is already facing resistance from some former Pakistan players, who have questioned his appointment in the PSL, pointing out he was suspected of fixing even by the Australian cricket authorities who then quietly sidelined him from the national team.
