Asif named as drug cheat

NEW DELHI – Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif tested positive for a banned substance during random testing at the Indian Premier League, the IPL announced yesterday.

It was revealed on Sunday night that a player had failed a drugs test but no name was given, with officials saying they first had to investigate whether the cricketer had been granted exemption on that particular substance. “The Indian Premier League confirms the player in violation is Mohammad Asif,” a media release from the IPL said.Asif, 25, played for the Delhi Daredevils team in the IPL, a lucrative Twenty20 tournament that ran from April 18-June 1 and featured the world’s top players.Officials compared the result from the WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland with data collected by IDTM, the Sweden-based independent agency which organised testing in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards.The nature of the banned substance has not been disclosed.The Pakistan Cricket Board had been informed of Asif’s positive test and it depended on the player if he wanted his ‘B’ sample to be tested, the statement added.If Asif takes up the offer the case will be referred to the IPL’s three-member Drugs Tribunal that includes former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.The lanky seamer faces a ban from future editions of the IPL and possible punishment from the Pakistan board if all tests go against him.Asif was detained at Dubai airport for three weeks for possessing opium while returning from the IPL in June.But Dubai public prosecutors dropped the case citing “insignificance” and deported him to Pakistan.In 2006, Asif and fellow Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar were withdrawn from the Champions Trophy in India after they both tested positive for nandrolone in a private tests carried out by the Pakistan board.Both escaped punishment by the PCB after they appealed.In another high-profile case, Australian spin great Shane Warne was sent home from the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and later banned for one year when he tested positive for banned diuretics.Asif, who made his international debut in January, 2005, has so far played 11 Tests and taken 51 wickets at an average of 23.1 He also has 36 wickets from 31 one-day internationals and 12 wickets in nine Twenty20 internationals.Nampa-AFP”The Indian Premier League confirms the player in violation is Mohammad Asif,” a media release from the IPL said.Asif, 25, played for the Delhi Daredevils team in the IPL, a lucrative Twenty20 tournament that ran from April 18-June 1 and featured the world’s top players.Officials compared the result from the WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland with data collected by IDTM, the Sweden-based independent agency which organised testing in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards.The nature of the banned substance has not been disclosed.The Pakistan Cricket Board had been informed of Asif’s positive test and it depended on the player if he wanted his ‘B’ sample to be tested, the statement added.If Asif takes up the offer the case will be referred to the IPL’s three-member Drugs Tribunal that includes former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.The lanky seamer faces a ban from future editions of the IPL and possible punishment from the Pakistan board if all tests go against him.Asif was detained at Dubai airport for three weeks for possessing opium while returning from the IPL in June.But Dubai public prosecutors dropped the case citing “insignificance” and deported him to Pakistan.In 2006, Asif and fellow Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar were withdrawn from the Champions Trophy in India after they both tested positive for nandrolone in a private tests carried out by the Pakistan board.Both escaped punishment by the PCB after they appealed.In another high-profile case, Australian spin great Shane Warne was sent home from the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and later banned for one year when he tested positive for banned diuretics.Asif, who made his international debut in January, 2005, has so far played 11 Tests and taken 51 wickets at an average of 23.1 He also has 36 wickets from 31 one-day internationals and 12 wickets in nine Twenty20 internationals.Nampa-AFP