• Tools:
• Save |
• Print |
• E-mail |
• Most Popular |

Shoaib and Asif banned for doping

Adjust font size:

LAHORE, Pakistan -- Pakistan's top fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been banned from international and domestic cricket for two years after a tribunal found him guilty of doping offenses.

The tribunal, formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also banned young fast bowler Mohammed Asif for one year, Shahid Hamid, the tribunal's chief said.

Last month, the PCB recalled Shoaib and Asif from the limited-overs ICC Champion Trophy in India after they tested positive for using the banned steroid Nandrolone.

The bans are a huge setback to Pakistani cricket, which has been assailed by controversy in recent months -- including the first ever forfeiture in a Test match during this summer's tour of England.

"We have banned Shoaib Akhtar from playing international and domestic cricket for two years, and Mohammed Asif has been banned for one year for playing international or domestic cricket," Hamid told a news conference at the PCB's headquarters in Lahore.

He said the tribunal had imposed the minimum punishment under the regulations of the PCB, the International Cricket Council and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"We were helpless and our hands were tied," Hamid said.

Amir Bilal, spokesman for the PCB, told The Associated Board that they would respect the tribunal's decision.

"It was an independent tribunal and we will honor its decision," he said.

Right of appeal

However, Bilal said the banned players under the ICC rules had the right to appeal, which would be heard by another independent committee.

Bilal refused to go into details, saying he had not seen the written verdict announced by the tribunal.

Hamid said Shoaib and Asif had failed to defend themselves against the charges and added that any appeal must come within the next seven days.

Explaining the difference in the length of bans, Hamid said Shoaib had knowingly used the banned substance.

Asif received a shorter ban because he had little knowledge about the usage of performance enhancing medicines, and "stopped using them when his physiotherapist asked him to do it," Hamid said.

Shoaib and Asif last week accepted the doping results but say they didn't deliberately use the banned substance to enhance performance.

The 31-year-old Shoaib, dubbed the "Rawalpindi Express," could find it difficult to return to the international game after a two-year ban.

He has taken 165 wickets in 42 test matches and 208 wickets at an average of 23.33 in 133 limited-overs internationals.

Asif, 23, the best young bowling prospect in Pakistan, has had a sparkling start to his career in the national side, bagging 30 wickets in just six test matches at an average of 21.16 and 19 wickets in 17 one-day internationals.

The punishment also means that neither player can receive funding from the PCB or hold any cricket-related office during the ban, Hamid said.

The bans, effective from October 15, also rules both men out of next year's World Cup.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Brittany Murphy autopsy conducted Monday
• Asian tsunami survivor still rebuilding life
• Lehman pays out big London bonuses
• Poll: Tiger Woods' popularity falls
• China defends death penalty against Briton

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)