Asif awaits test results

18 July 2008

Mohammad Asif could be banned for life depending on the results of his B sample

Mohammed Asif's fate will become clearer later this month after his lawyer confirmed his B sample will be tested on July 28.

The Pakistan fast bowler faces a life ban after testing positive for nandrolone following the Delhi Daredevils' Indian Premier League semi-final defeat to Rajasthan Royals in May, his second doping offence in two years and his third involvement with drugs.

The 25-year-old tested positive for nandrolone in 2006 during an out-of-competition test conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) - he was initially banned for two years but the sentence was overturned on appeal - before he was detained at Dubai International Airport last month on suspicion of carrying drugs. The charges were later dropped and he was deported.

Shahid Karim, Asif's lawyer, said: "We have received a reply from the IPL and they have given us the date of July 28 to have the B sample tested at a WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) accredited laboratory in Switzerland."

An investigation into Asif's detention in Dubai should conclude around the same time as his B sample is tested.