Suspended Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif's lawyer Shahid Karim has dismissed reports in the local media that the pacer could take part in domestic cricket before the Indian Premier League's drugs tribunal meets in London on January 24
Suspended Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif's lawyer Shahid Karim has dismissed reports in the local media that the pacer could take part in domestic cricket before the Indian Premier League's drugs tribunal meets in London on January 24.
Reports said that Asif and his lawyer had asked two local sports medicine specialists to review the procedure that was adopted by the IPL authorities to collect samples for dope tests. The reports also suggested that Asif was keen to play in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and had sought help to convince the Pakistan Cricket Board that the testing procedure in the IPL was flawed and that he should be allowed to play in the tournament.
"I don't know where these reports have come from. But this is not possible and we have to wait now until the IPL drugs inquiry tribunal reaches a decision," lawyer Karim said.
"It is not possible to get the testing procedure reviewed by local experts and ask the Board to review the suspension on Asif. It can't be done under the existing international and local anti-doping laws."
Karim said Asif was preparing his defence for the hearing scheduled in London on January 24.
"We are confident we will get a favourable outcome from the IPL drugs inquiry tribunal hearing as they were kind enough to accept our request to shift the hearing from India to a neutral venue after the Mumbai attacks," he said.
Asif was suspended by the PCB shortly after it was revealed that he, playing for Delhi Daredevils, had tested positive in the IPL dope tests. The embattled pacer's 'B' sample test also came out positive and he appealed to the IPL drugs inquiry tribunal.
"As far as the PCB is concerned they are independent of this procedure and it is purely their (IPL) decision whether to retain the ban or lift the ban," Karim said.
However, he admitted that under the PCB's anti-doping policy they couldn't allow a cricketer to play domestic cricket who had tested positive and whose case was yet to be decided. Asif faces a minimum of two years ban from all forms of cricket if the IPL tribunal rejects his appeal.
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