2 Pakistani Players Banned for Doping

Posted on November 1, 2006
Filed Under >Adil Najam, People, Sports
32 Comments
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Adil Najam

The decision on the doping case is finally in and Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been hit by bans after testing positive for nadrolone. Shoaib is out for 2 years and Asif for one.
According to CricInfo:

Both men tested positive in the build-up to the Champions Trophy, and were pulled out of Pakistan’s squad on October 16, the day before their opening game. The ban could effectively end Shoaib’s career, because he will be 33 by the time the ban is lifted. The testing had been conducted internally by the PCB, and a three-man tribunal comprising barrister Shahid Hamid, the former captain Intikhab Alam and Waqar Ahmed, a medical expert, had conducted an inquiry.

Both men had been recovering from injuries in the weeks and months building up to their positive tests, with Shoaib suffering from knee and ankle problems and Asif fighting back from a shoulder problem that forced him to miss much of Pakistan’s tour of England last summer. Shoaib initially denied any misconduct, saying: “I have not knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs and would never cheat my team-mates or opponents in this way.” But earlier this week, both men declined the offer of a retest on their B samples, which implied that they did not question the results. Both men are, however, entitled to appeal against their ban.

“We gave a full chance to both the pacemen to fight their cases and after a thorough inquiry we feel they failed to prove their innocence,” said Hamid, the chairman of the panel. “The process of doping was investigated carefully. We made sure the tests were conducted properly, samples reached the laboratory in Malaysia safely and there was no error in testing in the laboratory. “Both the players were satisfied and accepted the tests and gave their point of view but after a thorough inquiry and bound by the Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) we reached the decision.”

Hamid explained why the two had received different sentences. Akhtar contested the case saying that he has been on a high-protein diet which contained beef, chicken meat and other dietary supplements alongside with good fitness plan and he also said he took some herbal medicines from a Hakim (herbal expert) but he couldn’t prove them. Under the ICC’s doping rules, a two-year ban is the minimum penalty for a first offence. However, the PCB said all along it will take its own decisions, since the tests were conducted internally. As a younger member of the squad, Asif, 24 next month, has been let off comparatively lightly, and can be expected to fight again for his place next year. For Shoaib, however, the final curtain could be falling on an eventful and controversial career. Both players do, however, have the right to appeal and, if they do, a separate tribunal will be conducted.

For Pakistan cricket as a whole, the verdict marks the end of an unpalatable three-month period, which began with the ball-tampering controversy at The Oval, which led to the first forfeiture in Test history and a four-ODI suspension for their captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Younis Khan, Inzamam’s stand-in, then resigned on the eve of the Champions Trophy, claiming he did not wish to be a “dummy” captain, only to be reinstated following the resignation of the PCB’s exasperated chairman, Shahrayar Khan.

32 responses to “2 Pakistani Players Banned for Doping”

  1. Asma says:

    Well about asif being trapped … I second the opinion … shoaib was finished anyways – referring to his endless fitness problems … he can try for Bollywood now .. :)

    It’s asif for whom atleast I feel sorry..!

  2. People should remember how shane warne was backed by ACB after sex and doping scandals and he was allowed to play domestic cricket.

    In case if someone is not aware of Justic Qayum case, can visit following links:

    here and here.

  3. For those who are missing Wasim/Waqar, I would like to remind them something; “Justice Qayum Case”

    [quote post=”395″]sends the right message to young aspiring cricketers[/quote]

    Owais, are you saying that there was NO role of PCB to educate cricketers about doping issue. After reading the statment of Asif, I am 100% sure that Asif was trapped and the actual culprits are none other than PCB officials who didn’t educate them but what could one say for a sport org which is run by MBBS doctors and beurocrats.

  4. bhitai says:

    This isn’t the first scandal for pakistani team.
    Makes one wonder: if there’s more players doing it. Considering what’s happening in the US baseball leagues, I won’t be surprised if more names turn up (though others might be smarter about it).

    Shoab actor has remained more of a liability than an asset. Asif will be missed for sure.

  5. Hamid says:

    I agree with earlier message that the circumstances should be considered specially for Asif

    Also I am afraid that there may be other players who are also taking some of these things without knowing what they are doing so we may have more scandal on our hands soon

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