ICC don't rule out targeted dope tests

In a development that's likely to be a major factor, as Pakistan ponders whether or not to take Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif to the Caribbean, the ICC has refused to rule out the possibility that it may carry out targeted dope tests during the World Cup.

In a communication to the boards of all countries participating in the event, the ICC has said it will maintain its right to target test players at any point during the event, a PCB official told Cricinfo.

As per the communication, the ICC is likely to carry out testing in 16 matches with four tests (two per team) in each of the matches. It adds that while the tests are intended to be random and will not be announced in advance, the ICC will reserve the right to target test players.

Pakistan have more reason than most members, of course, to fully comprehend the implications of such a policy. Though it is appearing increasing unlikely that either Asif or Shoaib will actually travel to the World Cup, for whatever reasons, in the event that they do, there is nothing stopping the ICC from targeting both.

The ICC openly expressed its concern with the decision by a PCB-constituted appellate committee last November, to overturn bans on Shoaib and Asif for testing positive in internal dope tests for an anabolic steroid on technicalities. An earlier committee had found both guilty.

The ICC was unable to intervene, correctly deeming the matter to be an internal one (the dope tests were conducted out-of-tournament by the PCB with decisions made under its own doping policy), instead expressing the hope that the PCB would bring its anti-doping policy in line with international codes. It has since also said that it is willing to support the decision by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to refer Pakistan's decision to an international Court of Sport Arbitration.

Traces of Nandrolone are said by medical experts to remain in the body for a considerable period of time after use. The fear in Pakistan is that may be the case with Shoaib and Asif and if they were to test positive in an ICC tournament, they may not be as forgiving as Pakistani authorities were.