Jaipur: Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif could be banned for two years following their failed drugs test according to International Cricket Council CEO, Malcolm Speed.
Speaking to the media, following the PCB's controversial announcement yesterday, Speed said, "Players breaching the anti doping policy put in place for this tournament will face bans of up to two years from the game, along with financial penalties.
"The ICC is working in close coordination with World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratories for the testing of samples," he added.
The ICC chief expressed disappointment that two of Pakistan's premier bowlers had failed a drug test before their opening game of the champions trophy.
On whether players are aware of the list of banned drugs and whether it had been given to them, Speed replied: "Players have been tested since 2002 and I believe that they are well aware of the substances in the list, as well as substances that most commonly cause problems."
Speed also went on to clarify that the tests on Akhtar and Asif were not conducted by the ICC. "The tests were conducted entirely at the initiative of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)," he said.
"Five of our members England, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia carry out regular testing within their own countries," he pointed out.
When asked whether Akhtar and Asif could get their ban reduced, Speed said: "Under the WADA code, there are options for players to prove ‘no significant fault and no performance enhancing effect of the substance.' There are some defences available under the WADA code."
On whether the ICC would accept a request from the PCB for a lighter punishment, Speed said, "The PCB has signed the WADA agreement. During the Shane Warne incident in the 2003 World Cup, WADA made comments about his one-day ban, and although Australia had the right to appeal, they chose not to," was all that the ICC chief said.
Refusing to give his opinion on whether the sentence would end Shoaib Akhtar's controversial cricketing career, Speed said, "Shoaib has always been an exciting cricketer, a character. History will judge him the way it has to."
