Do you reckon he'll get off?
As If!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7848845.stm
Drugs tribunal has handed Pakistan seam bowler Mohammad Asif a one-year ban.
Asif tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during the inaugural IPL competition in May last year.
But the 26-year-old, who terminated his IPL deal with Delhi Daredevils last month, plans to appeal against the ban.
"I didn't take any banned substances intentionally. I don't want to carry the stigma of having been found guilty of taking banned substances," he said.
The drugs tribunal comprised former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, legal expert Shirish Gupte and Dr Ravi Bapat.
An initial hearing took place last October and a second was scheduled the following month, but was postponed until January following the bomb attacks in Mumbai.
The verdict was finally announced on Wednesday.
During the hearing Asif, who who has played 11 Tests and 31 one-day internationals, said eye drops prescribed for an inflammatory condition were the reason for the adverse test.
But reacting to the news of his ban, the International Cricket Council said all member boards should ensure Asif cannot play official cricket anywhere for the duration of his suspension.
"As an international governing body, the ICC maintains a zero tolerance in the area of doping," chief executive Haroon Lorgat commented.
"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."
The offence was Asif's second involving nandrolone. He tested positive for the banned substance 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 after he claimed he had not knowingly taken the drug.
As If!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7848845.stm
Drugs tribunal has handed Pakistan seam bowler Mohammad Asif a one-year ban.
Asif tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during the inaugural IPL competition in May last year.
But the 26-year-old, who terminated his IPL deal with Delhi Daredevils last month, plans to appeal against the ban.
"I didn't take any banned substances intentionally. I don't want to carry the stigma of having been found guilty of taking banned substances," he said.
The drugs tribunal comprised former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, legal expert Shirish Gupte and Dr Ravi Bapat.
An initial hearing took place last October and a second was scheduled the following month, but was postponed until January following the bomb attacks in Mumbai.
The verdict was finally announced on Wednesday.
During the hearing Asif, who who has played 11 Tests and 31 one-day internationals, said eye drops prescribed for an inflammatory condition were the reason for the adverse test.
But reacting to the news of his ban, the International Cricket Council said all member boards should ensure Asif cannot play official cricket anywhere for the duration of his suspension.
"As an international governing body, the ICC maintains a zero tolerance in the area of doping," chief executive Haroon Lorgat commented.
"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."
The offence was Asif's second involving nandrolone. He tested positive for the banned substance 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 after he claimed he had not knowingly taken the drug.