Re: Breaking News: Akhtar, Asif called back to Pakistan!
A VIEW FROM MIDWICKET: Innocent victims?
By MU Haq
The most recent scandal to plunge Pakistan cricket to the depths is the shocking news of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif testing positive for anabolic substance nandrolone in tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Without pausing to think, at least two former Pakistan captains have fired salvos at the PCB, presumably at what is now popularly referred to as the “previous set up”, for allowing it to happen. The response from coach Woolmer is that there is no question of either the PCB medicos or the coaching staff prescribing any medicines, compounds and liquids containing banned substances. It is quite possible that the players’ personal physicians and / or hakims may have done so.
Both fast bowlers are claiming their innocence through public statements and in consequence the PCB’s director of cricket operations had warned that it would be to their advantage to plead their cases before the PCB appointed tribunal, which will commence hearings from today (Saturday, 21st) and not after the Eid holidays as contemplated earlier, instead of causing possible damage to their cases by speaking publically. Shoaib Akhtar had earlier stated that President Musharraf had asked him to keep his mouth shut, obviously to no avail!
The question is did the two unknowingly take the drug since it seems absurd that a player should risk taking nandrolone even though it could speed their recovery from injury? Both Shoaib and Asif have recently returned to action after spending most of the summer injured. Athletes who have been caught have often cited the use of creatine and the consumption of protein shakes as reason for positive tests.
Experts say nandrolone stands apart from many other banned doping products for one key reason. It can easily be taken unwittingly. Many of the dietary supplements on the market contain traces of nandrolone or related compounds that will cause a positive test. There may also be a culture amongst individuals of taking vitamin supplements or minerals or protein powders as part of a general well-being policy. Yet at times even some of those apparently harmless supplements can contain prohibited substances. Could Shoaib and Asif claim that they unwittingly took nandrolone in a supplement they thought was clean or one that was given to them by team officials?
Reverting to the matter of kicking a man when he is down came the eyewitness account of Shoaib, Asif and Waqar Younis smoking cannabis in England. This was subsequently denied by some of the actors in the dramatic affair, including the two active bowlers, Azhar Mahmood of Pakistan and Surrey, who was alleged to have supplied “the stuff” to Asif, Shoaib and Afridi, and a chap called Azhar Mota (in American jargon “Fats” Azhar), who also happens to be, amongst others, Asif’s agent. Mr. Mota or “Fats” professes to be a tee-totaller and anti-drugs. It is rather funny that the “eye-witness” did not make these allegations at the time and has now emerged from the woodwork. It is also amusing to note that some of the now righteous former superstars who in their heyday were allegedly not averse to smoking pot, boozing and keeping the company of ladies of easy virtue, are the most vociferous in their condemnation of drug abuse.
Though it is very much doubtful that Shoaib and Asif will escape bans, one hopes they will be able to convince the authorities that they were innocent victims and thus avoid being branded as “addicts.”
*(MU Haq is a life member of PCB, former President of Karachi Cricket Association and a member of MCC) *
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\22\story_22-10-2006_pg2_6