NEWS

I am shocked and surprised: Asif


Shahid Hashmi
Monday, July 14, 2008 5:32:37 PM

Karachi: Disgraced Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif has said he is shocked at failing the dope test during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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    • "I am shocked and surprised because I was extra cautious and never used any banned substance. I was tested after the semi-final but I thought the reports might have come earlier and I have cleared the test," Asif told cricketnirvana.com.

    The 25-year-old was the only player who tested positive during the domestic Twenty20 event held in India between April 18 to June 1 this year.

    The pacer was banned for one year and fellow fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for two years in October 2006 after they failed dope tests conducted internally by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The bans were however overturned on appeals.

    Last month, Asif was seized at Dubai airport while returning from the Indian event on charges of possession of opium. He was detained for 19 days before being deported by the Dubai police who termed the quantity of illegal drug as "insignificant."

    The latest doping offense is likely to end Asif's career who shot into limelight during England team's tour of Pakistan in 2005.

    The minimum punishment under World Anti-Doping Agency rules is a ban of four years but since this is Asif's second offense, it may end in a life ban.

    Asif said he will decide the next course of action only after consultation with the PCB. "I don't know what to do, will decide the next course of action only after consultation with the PCB," he said.


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