Ex-Home Ministry official alleges Pakistan cricketers smuggled drugs

Former Union Home Ministry official RVS Mani has claimed that some members of Pakistan's cricket team were involved in drug smuggling during their tours of India. Speaking on the ANI Podcast, the former Under Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs alleged that drug trafficking was a recurring practice during visits by Pakistani cricket teams and official delegations. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Mani specifically named former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif while discussing the issue. He also referred to the fact that both players were banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in 2006 after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone. However, he did not provide any public evidence linking either player to the drug smuggling allegations.

The remarks were made during a discussion on security-related issues surrounding India-Pakistan cricket engagements over the years. As of the time of writing, neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have publicly responded to the allegations. The claims remain unverified, and no official investigation or evidence has been made public.

RVS Mani names Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, links claim to Bob Woolmer's mysterious death

During the podcast, RVS Mani referred to former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and former pacer Mohammad Asif while discussing an alleged incident from the past. He claimed, "There is a reported case of cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, where they were sent back (from India) by the Pakistani High Commission after their confession that they were carrying drugs." Mani further alleged that the drugs were not meant for personal use but were brought into India for smuggling.

He also claimed that drug trafficking was a regular practice during Pakistan cricket team's visits to India. "Whenever these Pakistani delegations and teams come, they traffic drugs here," Mani said. According to him, the alleged activities were linked to former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's mysterious death.

Mani claimed, "Their English coach, Bob Woolmer, who resisted this drug trafficking by the Pakistani players, was killed under suspicious circumstances. All the dots have to be joined." He made the remarks while alleging that Woolmer had opposed the alleged drug trafficking activities by some Pakistani players.

"Confessed to Pakistan High Commissioner," says former MHA under secretary — Here's what he alleged

RVS Mani alleged that drug trafficking was a recurring practice during visits by Pakistan cricket teams and official delegations to India. Referring to Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, he claimed, "There is a reported case of cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, where they were sent back (from India) by the Pakistani High Commission after their confession that they were carrying drugs." These allegations have not been independently verified.

Mani further claimed, "Their English coach, Bob Woolmer, who resisted this drug trafficking by the Pakistani players, was killed under suspicious circumstances. All the dots have to be joined. And Pakistan delegations do use to bring drugs. And as per the DIA estimate of that time, 30% of the Indian terror attacks' funding was coming from drugs only." He made these remarks while discussing security-related issues on the ANI Podcast.

Akhtar and Asif were both banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in 2006 after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone in internal dope tests. Akhtar received a two-year ban, while Asif was banned for one year. Following the positive tests, both players were dropped from Pakistan's squad before the team's opening match against Sri Lanka in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy in Jaipur, India.

PCB yet to respond as old drug controversy resurfaces amid India-Pakistan tensions

RVS Mani's allegations have resurfaced at a time when cricketing ties between India and Pakistan remain limited because of long-standing political tensions. The two countries have not played a bilateral series for several years and now face each other only in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments.

The strained political relationship has also affected international cricket events. India has refused to travel to Pakistan for ICC tournaments hosted there, choosing to play its matches at neutral venues instead. As a result, cricketing exchanges between the two nations continue to remain restricted.

As of the time of writing, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not publicly responded to Mani's allegations. Pakistan has travelled to India for ICC events in recent years, while during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the team played all of its matches in co-host nation Sri Lanka instead of India.