ISLAMABAD: Former Australian cricketer Dean Mervyn Jones was deported from Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad for not possessing a visa, officials said Sunday.
According to sources in the Federal Investigation Agency, Jones was staying the country without having a visa.
“Dean Mervyn Jones Passport No. E3030665, Austrailian National, arrived by Flight No. EK614 without Pakistani Visa. The person has been declared inadmissible and deported back by the same flight to the port of origin,” sources said.
The sources added that the former Australian cricketer also didn’t have any permit for stay in Pakistan.
“In present case deportation of the said person was the only option left with FIA immigration, thus he has been deported,” the sources said.
However, Mr. Jones had confirmed his appointment as the head coach for Islamabad franchise in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The official added that Jones has been coming to Pakistan regularly for his commentating job with PTV Sports and that he is “welcome as long as his visa is valid.”
Last week, in a video message on Facebook, 54-year-old Jones said: “I’ve just signed as the head coach for the Islamabad United team and I look forward to seeing the draft and picking some fantastic players for our team.”
The former Australian cricketer is not new to controversy: He was sacked from a commentating job in 2006 after referring to South African Muslim batsman Hashim Amla as a “terrorist”.
Jones, who admitted making the comment and apologised, was on a TV commentary team covering the second Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo. NNI
