Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112760231800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Asif to appear for IPL drug hearing

Tribunal sitting on November 29
Faces minimum two-year ban

Karachi: Dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif will leave for India on Thursday to appear before the Indian Premier League Drug Inquiry Tribunal on November 29.

Asif had failed a dope test conducted during the inaugural IPL in which he played for Delhi Daredevils.

His ‘B’ sample, tested in Switzerland, also came positive but the traces of the banned substance differed in the two tests leading to Asif challenging the validity of the process adopted to conduct the tests in the IPL.

If the tribunal finds Asif guilty he could face a minimum two-year ban and more action from his home board. He is presently suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board for flunking the dope test.

Asif, who will be accompanied by his lawyer Shahid Karim, said he was confident of being cleared by the tribunal.

“I am confident, my lawyer is confident that we have a strong case. I have always maintained I have never knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs,” Asif said.

British sports medicine specialist, Dr. Graham will also assist Asif in the hearing.

Karim, however, is not sure the tribunal will give a final decision after the hearing on November 29.

The tribunal will also decide on the application by Asif challenging its jurisdiction to hear the doping case.

Asif has filed an application to the PCB requesting to review the ban imposed on him and also to help him in his case. The board has so far refused to get involved in the doping case besides refusing to lift the ban. — PTI