PCB tribunal member blames PCB for doping scandal

Lahore, Oct 31 (UNI) Blaming the Pakistan Cricket Board for the doping scandal involving pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, a member of the tribunal investigating the matter said the PCB needs to have a counselling system in place to avoid becoming a 'laughing stock' in future.

Dr Javed Akram, who is a member of the three-man committee, the PCB was at fault for not providing proper counselling to players on medicines and health supplements.

''In order to avoid any such scenario in future, the first thing that the PCB needs to do is put in place a counselling and advisory system,'' Dr Akram was quoted by 'The Nation'as saying.

Refusing to lay the blame completely on players, Dr Akram said it was the board's responsibility to educate players on doping as ignorance on the matter can put their lives at stake.

''Cricketers are national assets. When central contracts are presented to them, instead of just putting the documents before them, the board should ensure that serious issues like doping are verbally discussed with them,'' he said.

''I have seen the reports of the players and I am surprised that there is no mention of the changes in blood pressure and other metabolic activities in their bodies. They were checked as machines and not as players,'' he added.

Dr Akram suggested fortnightly medical examination of the players as a way to root out doping from cricket in the country.

''There should be fortnightly medical examination of all players and reports be presented to the counselling committee and then one should expect a doping free future. Otherwise, such cases would continue to appear,'' he said.

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