Re: Breaking News: Akhtar, Asif called back to Pakistan!
Second Test confirms previous result
http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/16/welcome.htm
Cricket-Second drug test confirms doping charges: PCB Chairman
ISLAMABAD, Oct 16, 2006 (AFP) Two internal drug tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the presence of banned substances in fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters here. “Shoaib Akthar and Mohammad Asif have tested positive as per preliminary tests for nandrolone which is a banned anabolic steroid,” said Ashraf. “The PCB had asked for reconfirmation of the test from the Malaysian laboratory (where the tests were carried out) and we have been verbally informed 15 minutes ago that the reconfirmation is also positive.” The board had suspended the two players with immediate effect and withdrawn them from the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy 2006, Ashraf added. “The players will return home on the first available flight,” he said. Pakistan has no current system for doping offences but will set up a tribunal to decide how to punish Akthar and Asif, Ashraf said. “The International Cricket Council has a ban of two years for the first offence but we’ll go step by step, form a committee which will look into the evidence,” Altaf told reporters. “We don’t want to end the careers of Shoaib and Asif. We will do a complete investigation and then decide the matter.” Pakistan deserved credit for immediately revealing the positive test results on two of its key players, the cricket chief said. “We did not cover it up… We don’t care about losing or winning. We need to educate the players because this is s very serious offence.” The PCB said all-rounder Yasir Arafat and left-arm spinner Abdul Rahman had been finalised as replacements. (Posted @ 16:54 PST)