Date:23/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/23/stories/2006102307941800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Shoaib, Asif charge-sheeted

Islamabad: A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed drug tribunal has formally charge-sheeted bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif after its first hearing in Lahore.

"Both the fast bowlers, who tested positive for using performance-enhancing drugs, were charged with violation of the Board's laid-down policies against the use of drugs," local daily The News quoted a PCB official as saying.

Noted lawyer Shahid Hamid, along with another member of the committee and former cricketer, Intikhab Alam, heard the players separately before handing over the charge-sheets.

The next hearing has been scheduled after the Eid holidays on October 26.

During the hearing, the two players reportedly pleaded their innocence and requested PCB to get their B samples tests done. — PTI