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Karachi: Pakistan have suspended pace bowler Mohammad Asif from all cricket after he failed a dope test in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL), the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday.
"The ban will remain until his appeal... is decided or the anti-doping committee of the IPL and ICC (International Cricket Council) reach a final verdict on his case," the PCB said.
The board said Asif was banned from participating in cricket including its organisation, administration and promotion by or under the auspices of the PCB, the ICC or its member countries.
Senior board official, Shafqat Naghmi said Pakistan had a strict zero tolerance policy towards doping and would assist the ICC, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the IPL in enforcing the anti-doping regulations in the Asif case.
"We will be closely monitoring the case and will offer every reasonable assistance to the ICC and other ICC members as they may require for the implementation and enforcement of their anti-doping regulations," Naghmi said.
Asif yesterday hired a lawyer, Shahid Karim, and confirmed he would challenge the positive test by requesting the B sample result in a bid to prove his innocence.
Asif was yesterday omitted from Pakistan's Champions Trophy preliminary squad for the tournament, being hosted by the country in September after the selectors had initially included him on the 30-member list last week before delaying its release.
Yousuf skips event
Meanwhile, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was named in a 30-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy yesterday to give him a chance to prove his fitness for the September tournament being hosted by the country.
The selectors also called on several uncapped young pacers. Senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf was another absentee having asked the selectors not to consider him for religious reasons.
"Since the tournament is being held in the month of Ramadan from September 11 to 28, Yousuf requested he should not be considered," one national selector said.
Shafqat Naghmi, the Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, told a news conference the 30 players would all undergo dope tests on July 19 and 20 conducted by the PCB.
"Any player who fails the test or avoids giving a sample will not be considered for the final Champions Trophy squad and will also face disciplinary action under our anti-doping regulations," Naghmi said.
Shoaib had been asked to pay a fine of seven million rupees ($247,600) by July 14 to be considered for selection. "We never said he couldn't play if he didn't pay the fine. He has said he will pay the fine when the court orders him and we accept that," Naghmi said.
Do you think this is the end of the road for Mohammad Asif? Why? How do you see this development affecting Pakistan's chances in the Champions Trophy? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or leave a comment below.
Your comments
No it should not be an end of road for such a great player (Asif). Asif is a match winning option for the Pakistani team. Talking about other bowlers, Umer Gul is the only bowler with Pakistan at the mean time who takes consistently wickets. Sohail Tanveer is also a key player of Pakistan but has to get the support of senior players like Shoaib Akhtar
Amer
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 11:32
This should be the end of Asif's career and no more pardon should be given if he is found guilty. Whether Pakistan lift the Champions Trophy or not we certainly wont like to win by having cheaters in our team.
Junaid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 16, 2008, 08:22
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