A SEARCH has been launched for a Pakistan footballer who mysteriously disappeared shortly before the national team played in Bury on Wednesday night (March 21).

Eighteen-year-old defender Nasir Iqbal was last seen walking out of the Gigg Lane ground as a team press conference was about to be held on Tuesday (March 20). He had asked to go to the toilets, but never returned.

Security was stepped up at the match with Bury 24 hours later which Pakistan lost 3-0.

Guards escorted the rest of the team during Wednesday evening, and security men were positioned outside the dressing room.

Shakers fan Paul Perry was showing the national side round the club. He said: "The player asked to go to the toilet. Then he walked straight out of the entrance.

"I told him he was going the wrong way, but he carried on. I believe someone picked him up in a car and they drove off."

Bury FC chairman Terry Robinson confirmed a Pakistan player had gone missing.

"The team arrived for a press conference and, when they departed, they were one short.

"There are all sorts of rumours about him being seen running up Market Street but we don't know if there is any truth in that."

One club official said: "He's thought to be in Bolton somewhere hiding out, but no one knows where. The team management are embarrassed and desperate to get him back."

Pakistan's management insisted that the player was simply "visiting relatives".

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We can confirm that he did not attend training because he was injured. He should have been present at the Bury versus Pakistan game and a missing persons report was logged."