Banned but Akhtar two, Asif only one. Why?
In breaking news, Pakistan Television has just reported that Shoaib Akhtar has been banned for two years from international cricket while Md. Asif has been banned for just one year. Both had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Nandrolone just a few weeks back and according to the International Cricket Council doping norms, the ban should be for two years.
While arguments can be raised that the jurisidiction here is under the Pakistan Cricket Board and Shane Warne was also banned for just one year, both the points do not hold good. Pakistan Cricket Board should follow international norms and a mistake by Cricket Australia to do the same in the case of Warne does not justify Pakistan Cricket Board doing the same in case of Akhtar.
Also, why just one year for Asif when both were caught for the same substance while two for Akhtar? Maybe we will hear some justifications from the PCB but I am not sure they can give any valid reason for it. The only reason (and not a valid reason at that) seems to save Asif’s (who is just 23 years old) career. Akhtar, who is 31 seems to have played his last game in international cricket now.
Update: DNA has just reported on it:
The bans, effective from Oct. 15, rule both out of next year’s World Cup.
Update 2: Here is the CNN report. It says:
However, Bilal said the banned players under the ICC rules had the right to appeal, which would be heard by another independent committee…
Asif received a shorter ban because he had little knowledge about the usage of performance enhancing medicines, and “stopped using them when his physiotherapist asked him to do it,” Hamid said.
Ignorance is no excuse and so shouldn’t result it cutting down of period of the ban regardless of whether the story is true or not.
Update 3: The full report of the PCB Anti-Doping Commission can be read here.
