Sport | Cricket

Doping scandal rocks Pakistan cricket

Akhtar and Asif test positive for nandrolone in out-of-competition tests and are pulled out of Champions Trophy. The two cricketers are looking at a two-year ban if found guilty.

  • By K.R. Nayar, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:34 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Reuters
  • Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif (right) have been sent back after testing positive for nandrolone during tests conducted by Pakistan Cricket Board ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Jaipur: In an announcement that rocked the Champions Trophy tournament yesterday the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif had failed an out of competition drugs test last month.

The two cricketers have returned to Lahore.

The shockwaves hit the Pakistan team even before they had bowled a ball in the tournament.

The announcement of the dope test result triggered pandemonium in the media room at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here.

It was revealed the substance found was nandrolone, an anabolic steroid that releases muscle mass. The Pakistan Board yesterday suspended the pair pending the outcome of analysis of their backup samples, which is expected today.

Both cricketers are looking at a two-year ban if found guilty. A maximum sentence could effectively end the career of Akhtar.

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The Pakistan board will form a committee to hear the cases against both fast bowlers.

The Pakistan board has nominated all-rounder Yasir Arafat and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman as the two replacements to Akhtar and Asif. The drug tests were initiated by Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

Yesterday's events were just another in a series of controversies that has jolted Pakistan cricket recently.

Steroid: What is nandrolone?

Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid very similar to testosterone, the male hormone. It increases muscle mass. It can produce side-effects like overly aggressive behaviour. The tests for nandrolone is done through urine samples. The test is declared positive if the level exceeds 2 nano grams per ml, which is the limit set by the International Olympic Committee.

Tests conducted on athletes have found that the levels were hundred times above the normal. Among sportsmen caught in the past are Czech tennis star Petr Korda, the 1996 Olympic 100m champion Linford Christie, and football players Frank de Boer and Edgar Davids.

Your comments


They have been found positive but they can be given one more chance. I strongly beleive that one match restriction should be enough for them. They have already taken so much from media and everywhere.
Sajjad
Brisbane,Australia

It was totally shocking news, I feel very sad. Especially for Asif who is going to start his carrer in the international game. Forget about Shoaib Akhtar, hes only a showman.
Amjad
Dubai,UAE

it is a really shocking news for all cricket frantics to hear the two most reputed cricketers found positive for drugs. They should be probed for their behaviour and stringent action should be taken against them.
Mohd
Dubai,UAE

In my opinion something like a drama is being created and this test is tha part of first act. Let's see what happens next.
Abid
Dubai,UAE

This is a conspiracy to keep Pakistan out from the World Cup.
Shaikh
Dubai,UAE

It is just a mistake done by these players but the media is overreacting. I hope these players won't be banned from playing cricket.
Nadeem
Dubai,UAE

Shoaib and Asif are regular gym goers and they probably took the drugs for this reason, so they should be exempted and allowed to play the game.
Owais
Sharjah,UAE

This is really bad for Pakistan cricket. This is a plan to finish the careers of these two bowlers.
Jawad
Sharjah,UAE

They should not be banned for two years.
Shehbaz
Abu Dhabi,UAE

I did not expect this foolish move from Aktar and Asif. The Pakistan Cricket Board's action is a lesson for other cricket players.
Abdussalam
Dubai,UAE

It's really bad for Pakistan cricket. This is planned to finish the careers of these two bowlers
Anonymous
Lahore,Pakistan

It was totally shocking news, which didn't only shock PCB but also Pakistan cricket team fans. I feel very sad knowing that Shoaib Akhtar is going to miss this tournament and probably other tournaments.
Jawad
Sharjah,UAE

Dope in various forms has been consumed by most athletes. One can not over rule the possiblity of a conspiracy to create another issue in order to malign Pakistan cricket team.
Sohail
Lahore,Pakistan

Every sportsman uses these drugs so what's the big deal? They should be allowed to play.
Shahzad
Dubai,UAE

I think there is something fishy here. Players are well aware of these retrictions and frankly speaking a bowler like Asif would not resort to such things and risk his future.
Faisal
Dubai,UAE

If they have made a mistake they deserve punishment. If we give them a chance, it will affect the team and their performance, so better dismiss them from the cricket match.
Vibin
Dubai,UAE

Why didnt they do the test when the players were in Pakistan? I think there is more to this story than what is shown. I feel very sad and disappointed because they are my favourite bowlers.
Kashar
Dubai,UAE

Putting away these two great players is surely a big blow to Pakistan. They shouldn't have indulged themseleves in such a thing.
Sibi
Al Rashidiya,UAE

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