New panel to hear doping appeal

Justice Fakhruddin Ibrahim will head the new panel appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hear the appeals against the doping bans imposed on fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. The panel also consists of Hasib Ahsan, a former Test cricketer, and is expected to deliver the verdict within seven days of the hearing of the appeals.

Both Shoaib and Asif were banned for two years and one year respectively after they were found guilty of using the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone, by a three-man drugs tribunal formed by the PCB. They tested positive following dope tests conducted by the board during the Champions Trophy and were withdrawn from the Pakistan squad. Both players pleaded their innocence, claiming that they had not wilfully taken any performance-enhancing drugs and decided to appeal. The tribunal, headed by barrister Shahid Hamid, also faulted the board for not ensuring that its players are suitably cautioned and advised about such issues.