Asif hit with drugs ban

Mohammad Asif has already served almost five months of his one-year suspension

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The Indian Premier League’s drugs tribunal has handed a one-year ban to Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif.

The 26-year-old tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone during the inaugural edition of the IPL last May.

Asif appeared before the drugs tribunal comprising of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, legal expert Shirish Gupte and Dr Ravi Bapat last month, but the verdict was delayed.

"The ban on Mohammad Asif would commence from September 22, 2008 as that was the date on which the IPL had imposed the suspension order," an IPL statement read.

Asif was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board immediately after the positive test was confirmed by the IPL in July last year.

Asif requested his B sample be tested, which also came back positive. He then appeared before the tribunal on October 11, but the tribunal members adjourned that meeting without deciding on a verdict and scheduled a second meeting for November 29.

However, that meeting was postponed until January due to the Mumbai terror attacks.

During the hearing Asif claimed eye drops prescribed for an inflammatory condition were behind the failed test.

Asif terminated his contract with the Delhi Daredevils last month, saying his priority was to clear his name and win his place back in the Pakistan national team.

This is his second offence involving nandrolone. He tested positive during an out-of-competition test conducted by the PCB in October 2006 and missed the Champions Trophy as a result.

He was handed a one-year ban by the PCB which was subsequently overturned on appeal.

Despite being found guilty, Asif's international exile seems nearer an end with the PCB indicating he would be back in the national team as soon as the suspension expires.

Asif is adamant he did not intentionally take a banned substance and is planning to appeal

"Once the ban is over we will consider him and also think about giving him a central contract," PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said.

"But we are also waiting for the findings of our internal committee, which is probing his detention in Dubai.

"Once the committee gives its findings at the end of this month, we will decide if he is to be punished or cleared."

The International Cricket Council said it expects member boards will adopt the ban to ensure Asif cannot play official cricket anywhere for the duration of his suspension.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “As an international governing body, the ICC maintains a zero tolerance in the area of doping.

“We are proud of the fact that we have been testing at our events since 2002 and in that time we are yet to have an adverse analytical finding.

“Together with our members, we are committed to the implementation of a new ICC Anti-Doping Code (2009) that will seek to ensure we have a great sport with a great spirit.”

Meanwhile, Asif insists he will challenge the suspension.

"I didn't take any banned substances intentionally so I am not pleased with this ban," he said.

"We will appeal against the ban. I don't want to carry the stigma of having been found guilty of taking banned substances.”