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.
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:01 pm
This is a quick summary of why Asif was given only a year’s ban. IMO, Osman is a very level headed author and he continues the good work here, clearly explaining the case and giving credit where it is due…in this case, the PCB!!!
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/266606.html
I guess that the complete transcript of the tribunal’s findings would be an interesting read. Yet to do it myself…
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:14 pm
I did read Osman’s piece. However, as ignorance is no excuse and according to the norms, I do believe Asif should have been banned for 2 years as well. Do read the full report though. It is pretty interesting.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Now the ban had been lifted from two players due to the presence of any clear rules.. but ICC still opposed it.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 pm
That the two players are playing international cricket right now is a bit of a farce really.. The ICC should have put it’s foot down and it should not have been left to the PCB to decide for me.