Mohammad Asif undergoes dope test in Jo'burg ahead of India-Pak clash

Lahore, Sep.25 (ANI): Disgraced Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif underwent a dope test during a practice session in Johannesburg ahead of Pakistan's encounter with India in the ICC Champions Trophy.

"Asif has been taken for a dope test by the ICC. It is nothing out of the ordinary and in keeping with their doping procedures at all such tournaments," The Daily Times quoted an official of the team management, as saying.

It may be noted that Asif had tested positive for nandrolone twice before.

The Pakistani team is still undecided whether to play Asif or not in the match against India on Saturday, which has been termed as the 'match of the tournament'.

While both coach Intikhab Alam and captain Younis Khan have already clarified that they are not expecting wonders from Asif, who was once even compared with the Australian great Glenn McGrath, it would be interesting to see whether the team management risks playing a bowler coming out straight from a ban.

"He is coming back after one year and it's not an easy thing to do. We don't expect him to take five or six wickets the moment he plays international cricket, it's not fair," Khan had said before leaving for South Africa.

Asif was banned from international cricket for one year after failing a dope test. His career had plummeted after he failed a dope test during the Indian Premier League's (IPL) inaugural season.

He was also detained at the Dubai airport for 19 days for carrying an illegal substance (opium) while returning from India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also slapped a fine of one million rupees on Asif for his Dubai 'misadventure'. (ANI)