View Full Version : Asif and Shoaib sent home for taking performance-enhancing drugs
Asif and Akhtar to be sent back
Osman Samiuddin
October 16, 2006
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have both been recalled to Pakistan and will miss the Champions Trophy after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs following an internal Pakistan Cricket Board drugs test. The news comes on the back of an autumn of turbulence for Pakistan cricket, taking in the Oval fiasco, the captaincy saga and the replacement of the head of the board and severely dents Pakistan's chances in the tournament, due to begin tomorrow with a match against Sri Lanka.
Cooldude
16 Oct 2006, 15:27
This is big news
Big news
We'll hear a hell lot more of this for a long time
Don't think sub-continent countries drug test their cricketers regularly, this is not a dig at sub-continent countries, but this might prompt them to start having regular testings
:eek:
This is going to be absolutely massive. Not so much for Shoaib, as he's a broken down old wreck anyway, but Asif was one of the finest young bowling prospects i've seen in some time.
Huge, huge news ... :thumbsd:
Don't think sub-continent countries drug test their cricketers regularly, this is not a dig at sub-continent countries, but this might prompt them to start having regular testings
Silly remark Cooldude. You may not be 'having a go' at those countries, but your instigating the unsubstantiated possibility that athletes aren't given rigorous drug tests.
Cooldude
16 Oct 2006, 15:34
Silly remark Cooldude. You may not be 'having a go' at those countries, but your instigating the unsubstantiated possibility that athletes aren't given rigorous drug tests.
I am instigating that because that's exactly what's happening. I know Sri Lanka doesn't do it, from the sound of it Pakistan doesn't as well. I'm not sure about India though, they might have a system in place.
Freo Big Fella
16 Oct 2006, 15:37
Anyone want to set odds on how long it will be before the ICC changes the rules to allow players to take as much as whatever was found in their systems?
Thats_Gold
16 Oct 2006, 15:38
As if that suprises anyone. Akhtar has always been close to the news
I am instigating that because that's exactly what's happening. I know Sri Lanka doesn't do it, from the sound of it Pakistan doesn't as well. I'm not sure about India though, they might have a system in place.
Perhaps,
Interesting Article from 2 years ago,
Champions Trophy testing plans announced
Russell Langley - 02/09/2004
The Oval with host the final on 25 September
Photo/Getty Images
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its drug testing plans for the forthcoming Champions Trophy which gets underway on 10 September. UK Sport will be conducting tests on behalf of the ICC after each match of the 12 team tournament.
During the tournament, which features all the leading world cricket nations, samples will be taken from randomly selected individuals at the end of every match and sent for analysis at one of the UK’s two World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratories.
ICC chief executive, Malcolm Speed, said: "International cricket has a good track record in steering clear of drug-related problems. No player tested positive for drugs at the last ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa, and I would expect the same high standards to be maintained during the ICC Champions Trophy."
If a prohibited substance is detected in a sample the player involved will be suspended pending a hearing and the case will be referred to the tournament Drugs Tribunal which would decide on what sanction to impose. This could be a fine, a two year suspension for a first violation or a life ban for a second offence.
"If any individual decides to take a risk by using prohibited drugs, the anti-doping code we have adopted provides powerful deterrents for proven offenders. A minimum ban of two years could effectively spell the end of a player’s international career," said Speed.
John Scott, UK Sport’s Acting Director of Drug-Free Sport, added: "We are delighted to be working with the ICC at the Champions Trophy. Cricket is a sport which has consistently shown its commitment to anti-doping both internationally and domestically where we conduct over 200 tests per year on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The testing programme in place at the tournament sends a strong message to players that the misuse of prohibited substances will not be tolerated."
Cooldude
16 Oct 2006, 15:44
Malcolm Speed, said: No player tested positive for drugs at the last ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa
WTF?! Warnie?
Mr Speed is on speed if he really made that comment
Greg Miller= Messiah
16 Oct 2006, 15:49
How bigs this
WTF?! Warnie?
Mr Speed is on speed if he really made that comment
LOL, good point.
http://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/1877/
You can read it there. :D
GrayNicolls
16 Oct 2006, 16:08
bloody hell - this is massive news...........
WTF?! Warnie?
Mr Speed is on speed if he really made that comment
He's actually correct. Warney was tested during the VB series a month earlier.
Cooldude
16 Oct 2006, 16:24
He's actually correct. Warney was tested during the VB series a month earlier.
Good point
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 16:27
you do get the feeling the pakistan lads arent the biggest gym junkies going around and the rumours about shoaib doping have been around for years.
as for the testing from what i have heard they DO NOT test anywhere near as often in asian cricket circles as here in aus but maybe phil have some more detailed info to prove that wrong?
stmookeyj
16 Oct 2006, 16:28
As if Pakistan cricket didn't need further implosion.
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 16:48
a pakistani mate of mine says there are now reports rana has tested postive for drugs as well!
It's sounding more like an orchestrated doping regime amongst pakistani bowlers.
ManWithNoName
16 Oct 2006, 17:05
They're from the Sub-Continent, watch them get off with a light punishment.
GoSydneySwans
16 Oct 2006, 17:11
They're from the Sub-Continent, watch them get off with a light punishment.
Care to have a wager on it? I reckon they're in strife, personally.
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 17:32
the way pakistan cricket works they either would have covered it up or the players will get it with both barrels.
no wonder khan didn't want to be skipper.
no wonder shoaib bowls so fast. cheat!!!
Knowing Pakistan the the blokes will be returned to India in a few days time with their officials saying the samples were mixed up and they got it wrong. Pakistan cricket is a circus - a soap opera.:D
Asif bowled absolutly superbly for Pak against England .I did marvel at the time that he could bowl so well after a long period of injury .Now we know how .
Im surprised that Pakistan have let this come out without having any proof you sort of assume they would keep it quiet like the matchfixing .
Asif was looking like he could become the best bowler in the world now he should be banned for life as should any drug cheat in any sport
Apparently Pakistan tv is reporting that Rana has been nabbed as well. Given that Asif relied more on seam movement than brawn you wonder why he did it unless it was injury recovery.
Lets hope they are honest and don't blame relatives.
Lucky for Pakistan they have pretty adequate pace replacements;
Look at this vid - http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-3885224323771684833&q=pakistan+under+19
DynamoUltra
16 Oct 2006, 18:46
No doubt the ICC will find them not guilty.
Grimwood
16 Oct 2006, 18:47
Asif was looking like he could become the best bowler in the world now he should be banned for life as should any drug cheat in any sport
Life? I hope not. Asif is such a great talent.
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 18:48
perhaps this is a pre-emptive strike, they knew the players would be tested by the ICC which could lead to harsher sanctions, they then get the players home and say oops we made a mistake no bans.
I wouldn't put it past the pcb.
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 18:50
also taken from cricinfo(for philhawk)
Salim Altaf, Director Operations, PCB, told Cricinfo that the board, as signatories to the ICC's Anti-Doping Policy (ADP), had carried out a routine test on 19 players at the end of September. The tests were put in place at the behest of Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach and are thought to be the first ever held in Pakistan cricket.
frankrizzo
16 Oct 2006, 19:01
Apparently Pakistan tv is reporting that Rana has been nabbed as well. Given that Asif relied more on seam movement than brawn you wonder why he did it unless it was injury recovery.
performance enhances do more than just make your muscles bigger, they can help you perform at your peak longer which would be helpful for a quick who might have to bowl 8-10 over spells on a 40 degree day.
cyclists are a good case, very few look like they could bench press much but the drugs can be useful for getting more out of their body.
davey_magik
16 Oct 2006, 19:09
This is a disgrace.
I love some of the Pakistan players (Asif and Afridi more than most Aus players) but this is ridiculous. They are out of control.
So much ability, yet they do crap like this. I can only hope Asif grows above this childish crap and performs to the potential he has.
Another reason why Pakistan have never been a permanent power in cricket, though they have had so much talent for years and years.
Remember Asif being sent home for disciplinary reasons whilst on the tour of England .Wonder why .
I dont think there is any doubt that there as been orchestrated drug using especially if Rana is also involved .
Cameron_K
16 Oct 2006, 19:18
Even though you would expect something like this from Pakistan it still is shocking. I don't know what to think and would not be suprised to see even more implicated.
Browney2006
16 Oct 2006, 19:34
Apparently Pakistan tv is reporting that Rana has been nabbed as well. Given that Asif relied more on seam movement than brawn you wonder why he did it unless it was injury recovery.
Obviousely it has something to do with Injury, because both of them had been injured for some time. Plus performing enhancing drugs dont just build bulk and muscle, they do what the name describes "enhance performance", so this can mean all sorts of things such as recovering from injury quicker and longer bursts of energy with the ball and in the field.
Pakistan cricket is a bloody joke, can they **** anything else up? And to think people were saying that they arnt a rabble and that they arnt in the centre of all the controversy that goes on, pull your hand off it :rolleyes: It was amazing how Asif seemed to bounce back to near career best form straight after he had an injury, i wonder how :confused: They should get a lengthy ban, shouldnt be anything less than a year.
Kane McGoodwin
16 Oct 2006, 19:47
Huge news. Pakistanis seem to find ever way of self-destructing. Will be interesting to see how the ICC treat this. Expect the end of Shoaib's career.
Browney2006
16 Oct 2006, 20:00
Darrell Hair's reaction
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/66500/66524.jpg
Darrell Hair's reaction
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/66500/66524.jpg
GOLD:D
Andrew Mc
16 Oct 2006, 21:07
It'll probably get lost in the mess, but good on Pakistani cricket (seems like Bob Woolmer insisted on it) for finally introducing a drug testing regime for themselves. From reports it's the first series of testing they've even performed and although it's a bad result, it's good that something is finally been done to clean things up. Hopefully the other countries that don't have such schemes will get them into place posthaste.
Huge news. Pakistanis seem to find ever way of self-destructing. Will be interesting to see how the ICC treat this. Expect the end of Shoaib's career.
It was a PCB so I'd assume it's in their court what to do about it, and from there, into their courts I'd expect.
I fear the Warne case will be used as an example and they'll get the same penalty ( 1 year ) when 2 is, I believe, the world doping authority minimum.
Darrell Hair's reaction
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/66500/66524.jpg
LOL, gotta pay that. :D
mr_cellotape
16 Oct 2006, 22:41
They're from the Sub-Continent, watch them get off with a light punishment.
Bingo.
I just amazed we haven't had any moronic Poms in this thread with irrational references to Warney yet.
Edited cause I'm a moron who can't spell.. which makes me a hypocrite :)
Von Douche
17 Oct 2006, 00:02
Bingo.
I just amazed we having had any moronic Poms in this thread with irrational references to Warney yet.
Yeah i really felt for poor fatty warne. *SHAKES FIST AT MRS WARNE*
:rolleyes:
(There's your first irrational pom :) )
mr_cellotape
17 Oct 2006, 06:17
And so it begins...
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,20589658-23212,00.html
Akhtar has protested his innocence in an internet posting, while Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said his bowlers might have inadvertently absorbed the banned substance during treatment for recent injuries.
Akhtar, 31, who was looking forward to a comeback after a long injury lay-off, protested his innocence and said he is "gutted" to miss the tournament.
"I cannot say much at this time about what has happened but I just want to assure everyone that I am innocent of doing anything I shouldn't have," he said in his diary on the Bigstarcricket.com website.
"All I can say is that I have not knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs and would never cheat my teammates or opponents in this way."
Predictable. And possibly true. Hopefully it gets sorted out appropriately.
Bingo.
I just amazed we haven't had any moronic Poms in this thread with irrational references to Warney yet.
Edited cause I'm a moron who can't spell.. which makes me a hypocrite :)
Well you really cant bag Asif or Shoaib, Warne did take an illegal substance too.
mr_cellotape
17 Oct 2006, 07:01
Well you really cant bag Asif or Shoaib, Warne did take an illegal substance too.
Ahh, finally. Someone who demonstrates a lack of logic.
Warne = diuretic = not performance enhancing
Shoaid & Asif = (allegedly) steroid = performance enhancing
Or is that too complex for you?
Ahh, finally. Someone who demonstrates a lack of logic.
Warne = diuretic = not performance enhancing
Shoaid & Asif = (allegedly) steroid = performance enhancing
Or is that too complex for you?
Warney + Asif and Shoaib = Illegal substances.
:thumbsu:
spanna050
17 Oct 2006, 08:36
Ahh, finally. Someone who demonstrates a lack of logic.
Warne = diuretic = not performance enhancing
Shoaid & Asif = (allegedly) steroid = performance enhancing
Or is that too complex for you?
Fool.
Diuretic's are a well known steroid-masking agent - they are banned for a reason.
mr_cellotape
17 Oct 2006, 09:40
Fool.
Diuretic's are a well known steroid-masking agent - they are banned for a reason.
Masking agent (which has other non-sinister uses) autoimatically equals steroid use? Mate, you're in desperate need of an education.
Banned substance does not equal performance enhancing drug. I'm not even particularly a Warne fan. I'm just here because I knew people would try to bring up these idiotic arguments. And they're just not relevant or appropriate.
(This is, of course, assuming that these doping allegations against the Pakistanis are true, which, considering their own management and coach have admitted as much, seems to be the case).
spanna050
17 Oct 2006, 09:59
Masking agent (which has other non-sinister uses) autoimatically equals steroid use? Mate, you're in desperate need of an education.
Banned substance does not equal performance enhancing drug. I'm not even particularly a Warne fan. I'm just here because I knew people would try to bring up these idiotic arguments. And they're just not relevant or appropriate.
(This is, of course, assuming that these doping allegations against the Pakistanis are true, which, considering their own management and coach have admitted as much, seems to be the case).
I never said he was using steroids mate. I was just putting the facts out there and I'll say it again - it is a known steroid-masking agent and is on the banned substance list for that very reason.
If you choose to believe that he took it for vanity reasons when he was coming back from an injury, and his mum gave it to him, and he didn't check the banned substance list, because Warnie's an honest, reputable guy, then be my guest.
pav_is_god
17 Oct 2006, 10:33
The team should make a stand and boycott the tournament! Darryl Hair should be hung and quatered too..:rolleyes:
Londoner86
17 Oct 2006, 10:55
Perhaps that story about Shane Warne's mum "advising" the Pakistani cricketers on grooming and appearance may be correct?
Memo to Pakistan: blame your mothers, and then start a Charity.
It gets you popular again!
Von Douche
17 Oct 2006, 12:45
I wonder if Mr Cellotape even knows what diuretics are used for (Warney couldn't have been flushing something out of his system... could he? :rolleyes: )
Off Season
17 Oct 2006, 14:17
20 years ago if this - Steroid use - had happened in cricket it would have turned the sport upside down. Now, along with many other sports, it seems that it is somewhat expected that a few cheats will be found (admittedly cricket has a much smaller 'srtike rate' than its contemporaries).
Below are two links to very interesting articles related to drugs in sport, taking a different angle than anything I've read in the mainstream press.
http://www.henrythornton.com/article.asp?article_id=4327
http://www.henrythornton.com/article.asp?article_id=4259
frankrizzo
17 Oct 2006, 17:43
look warne did what he did and got banned.
maybe a year was too light but every man and his dog had their say on warne then, why is it everytime somebody from another team does something stupid it's somehow linked back to the aussies?
warne taking a slimming tablet should not be the main talking point when two players have been found to have taken a steriod.
and yes warne was very stupid to blame his mum but shoaib is doing what most drug cheats do and simply saying it's all a big mystery how drugs got into his body.
I wonder if Mr Cellotape even knows what diuretics are used for (Warney couldn't have been flushing something out of his system... could he? :rolleyes: )
Yeah, if it's an Aussie, it will get deleted.
Yet the racial accusations of Graeme Smith or the continual bagging of him is allowed.
Browney2006
17 Oct 2006, 17:55
Where have all the Pakistan backers gone? The ones that said Pakistan never do anything wrong? The ones that seemed to voice there opinion so much over the ball tampering issue.
frankrizzo
17 Oct 2006, 17:57
whats wrong with bagging smith?
even his mum probably hates him.
royalist
17 Oct 2006, 21:15
Well well well.The Packis ( who us? ) have been caught again. Darryl was right afterall. He knew there was something wrong with the ball. Every time Choo Choo licked his fingers he got his rocks off. The latest word is that Choo Choo has bought himself a bike and is going to enter Le Tour De France.
Cooldude
17 Oct 2006, 22:43
Where have all the Pakistan backers gone? The ones that said Pakistan never do anything wrong? The ones that seemed to voice there opinion so much over the ball tampering issue.
Don't be deluded, this is a totally separate issue from the ball tampering incident
Darrell Hair's reaction
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/66500/66524.jpg
I like it.
funkyfreo
17 Oct 2006, 22:57
Well I was a paki backer in the ball tampering - but this is different. And it is their own board revealing the tests and recalling them from the comp. Pakistan should be completely commended here, and I don;t see that these guys will get off.
Sample A dna Sample B = GAWN! Unless there is some ensuing evidence that the tests were spiked or incorrect. WArney copped it to Aussies Chagrin, and the Pakis will cop it too and piss off their fans.
Fact is, by the rules, Warnes is conlculded to have cheated, as it was banned, and these guys the same. No grey area.
Pity really I love seeing Shoaib belt in with the ball.
Well nobody would accuse them of being performance-enhanced after last night's performance but their doc reckons they're clean.
doctor reacts to doping scandalhttp://www.int.iol.co.za/data/bypics//bypic_647.gif Patrick Compton
October 17 2006 at 01:28PM Mumbai - South Africa's team doctor, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, on Monday night responded to the latest crisis in world cricket, with Pakistan's strike bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, being sent home for taking performance-enhancing drugs.
It was yet another body blow for Pakistan after they were accused of ball tampering in the Oval Test against England earlier this year, with the match eventually being awarded to England after skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to take his team on to the field in protest against the decision.
Dr Moosajee attended Monday night's post-match press conference here after South Africa had been defeated in their opening Champions Trophy match against New Zealand.
"Obviously, the use of performance-enhancing drugs goes against sportsmanship in world cricket, so we are very strict about our own players taking drugs," Dr Moosajee said.
'We do regular educational programmes for the players'He said Cricket South Africa was affiliated to the South African Institute of Drugs in Sport.
"Each of our cricketers has a copy of a booklet put out by the institute. We do regular educational programmes for the players. The guys are screened on the medication that they take. If they are going to take supplements of some sort, it is assessed by CSA's medical committee. We do our best, therefore, to make sure that a player doesn't take something inadvertently," Dr Moosajee said.
The South Africans were all tested for performance-enhancing drugs at their camp during the warm-up series against Zimbabwe shortly before they left for India.
dan warna
17 Oct 2006, 23:19
his mummy gave him hte tablets to straight his arm out?
Browney2006
18 Oct 2006, 15:17
Don't be deluded, this is a totally separate issue from the ball tampering incident
I wasn't referring to you CD at all, i was refering to the posters that were trying to defend Pakistan cricket in general. You were simply saying that with the ball tampering there was no proof.
Doctor says drugs can boost cricketers.
Cape Town - South African cricket has a spotless record in regard to the use of illegal substances but drugs could become a problem, says dr Shuaib Manjra, chairperson of Cricket SA's medical committee.
Manjra was approached on Tuesday for comment after the drugs scandal that broke in India on Monday.
Pakistan's fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were sent home from the ICC Champions Trophy tournament after testing positive for Nandrolone.
"This is a problem in sport generally and there is no reason why cricket won't suffer as well," Manjra said.
"We will soon start testing players during the off-season", said Manjra, who is also chair of the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport.
Despite a perception that cricketers will not benefit from using drugs, Manjra believes this is by no means true.
"You can't compare cricket and baseball 100%, but there are certainly similarities. And last year baseball was the sport that produced the second most positive tests worldwide."
Apart from instances when players used drugs for relaxation (such as the SA cricketers who smoked dagga) the Pakistan scandal is cricket's first major drugs shock since Shane Warne got into trouble in 2003.
Copy of the institute's policy
The legendary Australian leg-break bowler withdrew from the World Cup tournament in South Africa after using an illegal substance and was banned from cricket for a year.
Mohammad Moosajee, the SA team doctor, says the Proteas are regularly advised about the use of medication.
Players in the national team were tested for illegal substances after the recent match against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom.
"Cricket is an international sport and we are all dedicated to practise sport drugs free," Moosajee said in Mumbai.
"Any use of an illegal substance is contrary to the policy of international sport. When anyone is tested positive, he is guilty of contravening the code of his sport's governing body.
"As cricketers we are part of the SA Institute for Drug Free Sport. Every athlete, and therefore every cricketer, has a copy of the institute's policy."
With this pocket guide in their possession athletes have no excuse if they contravene the rules. The guide contains details of all permissible supplements and illegal substances. It even lists a certain type of eye-drops as illegal. Manjra also confirmed that he had been part of the Cricket SA visits to provincial unions last month and that he had addressed players about the use of drugs.
Cooldude
18 Oct 2006, 15:36
I wasn't referring to you CD at all, i was refering to the posters that were trying to defend Pakistan cricket in general. You were simply saying that with the ball tampering there was no proof.
Well if there are people who said that then they're the one who're deluded, but if they're Pakistanis then wouldn't blame them for defending their own country
Still, a couple of very stupid individuals in this incident has tarnished their own country's name. Pakistan cricket would only become a joke if they don't punish them accordingly, which I seriously think they wouldn't. Just a slap on the wrist on those two would probably be all they get
davey_magik
18 Oct 2006, 19:18
Rumour has it they got off with a fine.
Probably bullsh1t.