Confusion prevailed in the Pakistan cricket circles today after a section of the
media reported that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif
had again tested positive for nandrolone in fresh tests carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The newspapers, however, created more confusion by stating that while their
sources told them the two players had already undergone fresh tests it might
not be true.
"I don't know where this information has come from. If
the two players have had any tests at least the Pakistan Cricket Board has not
carried them out," PCB Director, Cricket Operations, Saleem Altaf
told reporters.
"We have conducted no tests as yet and if we did where
will we do it. Our doctor Sohail Saleem has just received the testing kits from
the WADA accreditated lab in Malaysia and they will be held on schedule after
the team returns from South Africa," he added.
Altaf also insisted that having tests early on the two players
served no purpose.
"If there are no traces of nandrolone in their body it does not make a
difference if the tests are held now or later on," he said.
Altaf's denial appeared to be true after both bowlers were
named in Pakistan's World Cup squad although their final appearance in
the tournament is subject to them clearing fitness and dope tests.
Sources close to the two players also rubbished the reports saying they were
unfounded.
"How can Asif undergo tests while he is still touring
South Africa," one of them said.
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