PCB doping tribunal under pressure from Musharraf

London, Oct 22 (UNI) The tribunal investigating doping charges against Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif is reportedly under pressure from Pakistan President and PCB patron-in-chief Pervez Musharraf to hand out lenient punishments to the pace duo, which would pave the way for their return to action in next year's World Cup.

According to a report in the 'Daily Telegraph', quoting a highly placed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source, the duo could get away lightly as the tribunal has been asked to go easy on punishments.

''No innocent player should be punished and players should be protected,'' Musharraf has reportedly told PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf.

According to the source, Dr Ashraf later conveyed the message to the tribunal in a briefing and told the panelists to punish the players if guilt is established but be lenient if the case is of mistaken consumption.

The report said that the two players could be handed just three-four month bans if the tribunal concludes that the bowlers took the banned substance unknowingly.

Shoaib and Asif tested positive for banned anabolic steroid Nandrolone in tests conducted by the PCB and had to be withdrawn from Pakistan's team for the ongoing Champions Trophy in India.

Both the players have since denied ever knowingly taking drugs.

The PCB later told the players to avoid talking to the media till the time the hearing gets over. The duo appeared before the tribunal yesterday and was reportedly told to submit written statements.

The tribunal, comprising former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam, Former Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid and doping expert Dr Waqar Ahmad, will now meet next week.

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