Airport authorities in Islamabad, on Sunday, claimed to have deported Dean Jones because of an expired visa, but the former Australian batsman insisted that he had to return home because of incomplete documents.
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 Sunday morning only to be reportedly told 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 PSL 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.
But Jones claimed on Twitter that he had a valid visa for Pakistan but his documents were incomplete.
Jones said he was getting the documents completed in Dubai from where he reached Islamabad and he would be returning to Lahore soon.
The former Australian player claimed he was not deported but had to return to complete his documents.
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.
Image: Former cricketer Dean Jones is interviewed
Photograph: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images
