Ashraf promises senators to conduct dope tests of Akhtar and Asif within 30 days

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's outgoing cricket chief Naseem Ashraf said Tuesday that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would undergo dope tests within one month, amid suspicions they withdrew from the World Cup fearing they would fail drug tests.

"If I stay as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I assure you that these two fast bowlers would undergo doping tests within the next 30 days," Ashraf told the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports and Culture, according to Senator Anwar Beg.

Akhtar and Asif tested positive during in-house dope tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board last year, and were banned for two years and one year respectively. An appellate committee later overturned the ban and they players were exonerated.

However, the duo withdraw from the Pakistani squad for the World Cup shortly before the team left for the West Indies, citing injuries. However, Senator Beg said the move raised suspicions the players pulled out because they feared testing positive during the event.

"That's what precisely we asked Ashraf because the PCB is saying that these fast bowlers missed the World Cup because of injuries and not because of fear of dope tests," Beg said.

Ashraf has submitted his resignation with the Patron of the PCB — Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf — after Pakistan was eliminated from the World Cup. Musharraf must decide whether to accept or reject Ashraf's resignation.

Pakistan was beaten in successive group matches against the West Indies and unfancied Ireland and was eliminated from the World Cup.

A day after the defeat against Ireland, coach Bob Woolmer died in the team hotel at Jamaica, which the police later found to be murder.

The president appoints the chairman of the PCB.

Beg said Ashraf was also asked why lawyers were not sent to Jamaica in time to assist Pakistan's team management after Woolmer's death.

"He (Ashraf) himself says that Pakistan team players cannot speak English fluently, so we asked him why lawyers were not sent to help players in communicating with the investigators," Beg said.

To this, Beg said, Ashraf did not respond.


Is he trying to assure the senators that he will do good job from now onn

but i think its time to go for him bye bye ashraf chamcha of president

he is acting like a five year old child saying to his mommy ,"AMI AKHRI DAFA CHANCE DEDEYIN ABB NAHI KAROON GA PROMISE PROMISE"

why not do the test now or give the results they already have. the MPs have nothing better do to either and playing politics and acting dumb

good rhythms to bad rubish

Idiots, the lot of them. What is the point in risking the careers of the two best fast bowlers in the country now that the World Cup is over? Just so that they can prove points to one another.

What makes him doing it now? did any one pressurise him.As if there is no other problem in Pakistani cricket right now.

the senators are asking for it I guess

Steroids should have left their systems by now, if traces remain, they will be minimal, not enough to warrant a ban

It appears that the private tests done in London must have shown that the steroid levels were still dubious but I agree that they are probably down to a reasonable level by now

Pakistan's outgoing cricket chief Naseem Ashraf said on Tuesday that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would undergo dope tests within one month, amid suspicions they withdrew from the World Cup fearing they would fail drug tests.

"If I stay as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I assure you that these two fast bowlers would undergo doping tests within the next 30 days," Ashraf told the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports and Culture, according to Senator Anwar Beg.

Akhtar and Asif tested positive during in-house dope tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board last year, and were banned for two years and one year respectively. An appellate committee later overturned the ban and they players were exonerated.

However, the duo withdraw from the Pakistani squad for the World Cup shortly before the team left for the West Indies, citing injuries. However, Senator Beg said the move raised suspicions the players pulled out because they feared testing positive during the event.

"That's what precisely we asked Ashraf because the PCB is saying that these fast bowlers missed the World Cup because of injuries and not because of fear of dope tests," Beg said.

Ashraf has submitted his resignation with the Patron of the PCB -Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf - after Pakistan was eliminated from the World Cup. Musharraf must decide whether to accept or reject Ashraf's resignation.

Pakistan was beaten in successive group matches against the West Indies and unfancied Ireland and was eliminated from the World Cup.

A day after the defeat against Ireland, coach Bob Woolmer died in the team hotel at Jamaica, which the police later found to be murder.

The president appoints the chairman of the PCB.

Beg said Ashraf was also asked why lawyers were not sent to Jamaica in time to assist Pakistan's team management after Woolmer's death.

"He (Ashraf) himself says that Pakistan team players cannot speak English fluently, so we asked him why lawyers were not sent to help players in communicating with the investigators," Beg said.

To this, Beg said, Ashraf did not respond.

sorry about it there was another thread on this already

What do these senators have to do with anything? Shouldn't they stick to politics?

ahh...common sense umbrella.

Trying to close the gate after the horse has bolted ... turned around and came back .... had a bit to eat .... had a nap ... then bolted again.

Instead of banning Shoaib and Asif how about giving this clown a lifetime ban from cricket.

ahhhh .... you guys have so much to learn