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Pakistan Cricket Board ban Asif

15/07/2008

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been banned from all forms of the game by the country's cricket board after he failed a drugs test.

Asif failed the drugs test whilst playing for the Delhi Daredevils during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have dropped the 25-year-old from the squad of probable players for their ICC Champions Trophy campaign which starts in Pakistan in September.

"In line with our anti-doping policy, we have suspended Mohammad Asif with immediate effect," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.

"He will have the right to appeal under the International Cricket Council's anti-doping regulations.

"The PCB will offer all the assistance to the IPL drugs tribunal and implement its findings. We may even attend the inquiry proceedings."

Asif's lawyers have insisted that their client is innocent and believe once the 'B' sample of the drugs test comes through, it will clear Asif's name.

This is not the first time that Pakistani cricket's rising star has been the centre of a drugs scandal.

Asif was held in Dubai for 19 days last month after he was alleged to be carrying a suspicion substance. In 2006, he was found with the banned drug Nandrolone in his system, he was eventually cleared on both occasions.