ICC defends decision not to challenge quashing of bans

The ICC has backed the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) decision to appeal against the lifting of bans on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif.

WADA, which deals with doping cases in international sports, announced last week it would challenge the overturning of the bans in the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"WADA wishes to appeal against the decision reached by the PCB appeal committee," Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, said. "The ICC acknowledges this position and, at the same time, reiterates its commitment to the WADA Code."

Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year in November after both tested positive for the illegal steroid nandrolone in tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Both players won their appeals and their bans were overturned by a committee headed by a retired judge earlier this month on the grounds that they had not been fully educated about doping matters.

Speed defended the ICC's decision not to challenge the appeal decision in the light of criticism of its inaction by Dick Pound, WADA's chief executive. "Our lawyers have examined the finding of the PCB appeal committee and do not believe the ICC has a right of appeal but we will cooperate with WADA and provide it with any assistance it requires."

And he sought to confirm the ICC's commitment to clamping down on drug cheats. "We have shown our commitment to the cause by signing the WADA Code this year and we will continue to show that commitment in the future."

Speed added that the ICC would be extending the scope of its testing to include the warm-up period for next year's World Cup.