IPL players to get surprise drug tests

Dubai: A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) team yesterday conducted random dope tests on players participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), following news that controversial Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar was discovered to have an inordinately large supply of syringes in his baggage while boarding a flight from Pakistan to India.

IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said on the tournament's website that the WADA team would go about collecting samples from players as per the ICC rules.

"There are surprise dope tests to begin today. The [WADA] team from Sweden has already come down. We don't know which team will be subjected to the tests first or which player's samples would be taken first," Modi said.

"As per the ICC rules, the WADA team is here and the dope tests will start immediately."

ICC doping rules

The ICC rules on doping follow the WADA code which lists a two-year ban for a first-time offender and a life-ban for any subsequent doping violation.

Modi, however, attempted to downplay the Akhtar incident that is believed to have triggered yesterday's surprise drug tests.

"I have verified the reports, no such things [syringes] were found," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-President said.

But Akhtar, who is a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders team, is no stranger to drug-related issues. In 2006, he was banned, along with teammate Mohammad Asif, after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone during the Champions Trophy.

Last year, Akhtar had pulled out of the ICC World Cup due to injury, but it was suspected that the real reason was that there were traces of nandrolone in his system.

According to Pakistani newspaper Nation, Akhtar was caught with 36 syringes at the Karachi airport while boarding a flight on his way to India.

When quizzed by customs officials, Akhtar said he needed the syringes because he was a diabetic.

It was the first time that the fast bowler had revealed that he was suffering from this condition.

Shafqat Naghmi, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief operating officer, also attempted to downplay the incident.

No action

"I don't thing it is a big deal," he said in Pakistan. "The syringes were empty and first we have to confirm if the report has got all the facts right. There is no question of the Pakistan Board contemplating any action against Shoaib for this."

The PCB has reportedly ruled out taking any action against the fast bowler.

But in India, Akhtar's team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, said they were considering legal action against the Pakistani media.