Asif to appeal drugs ban

Mohammad Asif was banned for one year © Getty Images

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has formally submitted his appeal to the Pakistan Cricket Board after being given a one-year ban for a positive drugs test.

Asif’s lawyer has filed the appeal after both he and veteran paceman Shoaib Akhtar received bans for nandrolone use last week.

“I have filed my appeal through my lawyer, Aftab Gul, and submitted it to the PCB’s medical officer, Dr Sohail Saleem, and I hope my ban will be reviewed by the appeal committee,” Asif said.

Both Asif and Shoaib had been found guilty of doping offences in Lahore after Pakistan carried out independent drugs tests on 19 of their players in the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy.

The ban was imposed by a three-member panel comprising barrister Shahid Hamid, former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam and medical expert Waqar Ahmed.

The co-ordinator of PCB’s medical commission, Dr Sohail Saleem, confirmed he had received an appeal of review from Asif. He said he would send the appeal to the PCB which would refer it to the Doping Appeal Committee.

Asif’s lawyer Aftab Gul, who handed over the appeal to Dr Sohail said: “Under exceptional circumstances you cannot punish, and the circumstances with Asif were exceptional, as he had no knowledge of doping and was not given any lectures on the consequences.

“(Shoaib) is an inspiration to the younger generation, while Asif is a new hero, so by banning both they have done a great dis-service to the game.”

Shoaib, who was handed a two-year ban, is yet to appeal and his personal doctor, Tauseef Razzaq, said they would consult experts before deciding whether to do so.

“We have tried to hire some doping experts from abroad who are in the process of reviewing the decision of the PCB tribunal, and once they agree we will invite them here to fight the case,” said Razzaq.