LAHORE Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has withdrawn his appeal against the ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council over spot-fixing allegations. The withdrawal came after the ICC shifted the case hearing to Dubai where the Pakistan pacer is banned to enter for the next 25 years as he was caught there for possessing opium. Earlier, the hearing was to be held at Qatar but the ICC changed the venue and it will now be held at Dubai on October 30 and 31, 2010. Muhammad Asif confirmed earlier today that he has withdrawn his challenge to the provisional suspension imposed on him on September 2, 2010 pending determination of the charges brought against him under the ICCs Anti-Corruption Code, the ICC said in a statement. Pakistan fast bowler withdrew his appeal against the provisional suspension on Saturday which was imposed on him as well as on Salman Butt and Muhammad Aamer over allegation of their involvement in spot-fixing during the Test series against England. The arrangements are now being made for the challenges by Salman Butt and Amir against their provisional suspensions which will be heard in Dubai on October 30 and 31, 2010, the release added. British tabloid News of the World had alleged that Asif and Aamer took bribes from bookie Mazhar Majeed for bowling no-balls during the Lords Test. Although the ICC has not specified any reason why Asif withdrew his appeal yet the sources said Asif took the step after consultations with his lawyer in London. The legal firm representing him in the case apparently has advised him to take more time as they require time to prepare the case and appeal against the suspension, reports said. Source close to the bowler added that the lawyer representing Asif had come across some technical issues in the appeal filed with the ICC and hence advised him to withdraw it for now. The three players had filed separate appeals against their suspension this month. Meanwhile, ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, praising the Pakistan Cricket Boards recent measures, said that guidelines set by the cricket world governing body were being implemented. In an interview on a foreign website, Lorgat said that the PCB has promised no leniency to players proved guilty of corruption. The PCB has showed that it was serious in removing corruption, he said. On Friday, the PCB constituted a seven-member committee to remove corruption from the game in line with guidelines set by the ICC. A spot-fixing scandal, involving their players, has rocked international cricket recently but the PCB Chief Operating Officer Wasim Bari predicted a brighter future for the country. Bari said that after the troubled tours to Australia and England this year, Pakistan cricket was now heading in the right direction and people will see lot of changes and improvement before the World Cup which will be played in 2011. We are now moving in the right direction and the focus of the players and people should now be on preparing for the 2011 World Cup, Bari said. He admitted that Pakistan cricket had been hurt by recent controversies but added the PCB was now doing everything possible to have a brighter and more positive future for the sport in the country. He also felt that the forthcoming series against South Africa would serve as ideal preparation for the World Cup. The World Cup is now the most important event for not only us but for the other countries as well in the coming months and I think, all of us should now put everything behind and just focus on cricket and the World Cup, the former captain said. He said Pakistan had picked a very balanced side for South Africa series which was an ideal preparation for the World Cup which was jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Lets remain hopeful that the team will deliver against the South Africans and do well. Our supporters need to be given some good performances by the team, he added. The Pakistan squad is now in UAE to play two Twenty20 matches, five ODIs and two Tests against the Proteas. The series is being held in United Arab Emirates after the South Africans refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns.