ICC spanks Pakistan for revoking ban on Shoaib, Asif

Dubai, Dec 6 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) today flayed Pakistan Cricket Board after a PCB panel lifted the bans on dope-tainted pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

After the PCB Anti-Doping Appeals Committee set aside the bans previously imposed on Shoaib and Asif, ICC President Percy Sonn said, ''The judgment highlights inconsistencies in the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) anti-doping processes and regulations.

''Cricket has taken significant strides forward in addressing the important issue of drug use in our sport. However, this judgement emphasises that much more work needs to be done to educate players and to synchronize our Members' efforts to attain a totally drug-free sport,'' he said in a statement here.

Shoaib and Asif were withdrawn from the ICC Champions Trophy for testing positive for nandrolone and then a three-member panel had a two-year ban on Shoaib and one year ban on Asif.

''It is vital that cricket takes heed of the judgment and that the lessons it provides are disseminated amongst all our Members.

''Of primary importance is that all those Members revisit their own regulations and align them both with the ICC's Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code,'' he said.

''The issue of player education is also of vital importance and the ICC will, with WADA's continued assistance, do its utmost to make it easier for our members to provide this service to their players and officials.

''The key fact is that it is vital for all our Members to maintain a zero tolerance on the use of drugs in our sport. That is the idea behind the ICC's drug-testing regime at all our events since 2002 and our adoption of the WADA Code in July of this year,' Mr Sonn said.

''I would now urge all our Members to ensure appropriate action is taken so cricket can show just how committed it is to being known as a drug-free sport,'' he added.

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