ISLAMABAD (Online) – Newly-appointed head coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United, Dean Jones denied he was deported from Pakistan.
“Ok cricket fans.. My paperwork for Pakistan Visa wasn’t complete due to recent change in Visa policy. I have Visa.. NOT DEPORTED as reported”, Jones took social media to clarify the situation.
I am arriving in Lahore tonight. I WAS NOT DEPORTED! Media… Please get the facts right guys.
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 20, 2015
“I am arriving in Lahore tonight. I WAS NOT DEPORTED! Media… Please get the facts right guys”, he further tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
Read more: Dean Jones deported in Islamabad, sent back to Australia
Earlier, local media reported that the former Australian cricketer was deported early Sunday morning soon after he landed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.
Reports said that Jones did not have a valid Pakistani visa or relevant documents authorising his stay in the country. Jones, the former Australian Test batsman was due in the city to prepare for his team’s participation in the players draft for the league that takes place in Lahore on Monday and Tuesday.
But the 54-year-old was forced to return to Dubai, from where he had left for Islamabad due to invalid travel documents.
“Dean Jones was deported back by the same flight to the port of origin,” a FIA official said.
The official further said, Jones is expected to fly back to Islamabad tonight after top PCB and Islamabad United officials intervened to get his travel documents sorted.
Last week, Jones announced he has signed up as the head coach for Islamabad United. However, the former Australian cricketer is not new to controversy as he was sacked from a commentating job in 2006 after referring to South African Muslim batsman Hashim Amla as a “terrorist”.
