Akhtar, Asif recalled after positive doping tests: PCB source by AFP

---

Player:	Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar, Naved-ul-Hasan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2006/07

---

DateLine: 16th October 2006

 

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been recalled from Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, a Pakistan Cricket Board official told AFP Monday.

 

The fast bowlers were called back from India after coming up positive in an internal PCB test carried out ahead of the tournament, the board official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

 

"Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been recalled after they tested positive in an internal doping test conducted by PCB," the official said.

 

Fellow paceman Naved-ul-Hasan's test was also suspect but no action has been taken yet and he is still in Jaipur, the official added.

 

No information was available on what type of drugs allegedly came up in the tests.

 

New PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf was due to give an official announcement at a press conference here at 3:00 pm (1000 GMT).

 

The tests rob Pakistan of two key elements of its strike force a day ahead of the team's first match in the Champions Trophy, and follow two months of controversy swirling around the squad.

 

The chaos started in the Fourth Test against England at the Oval in August, when captain Inzamam-ul Haq refused to take his team back on the field after it was accused of ball-tampering.

 

Inzamam was cleared of tampering but was handed a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

 

His replacement Younis Khan earlier this month refused to lead the side for the Champions Trophy, saying he did not want to be a "dummy" captain.

 

Former PCB chief Shaharyar Khan quit the next day because of his decision. Khan's replacement Ashraf reinstated Younis as skipper.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)