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Pakistan pair fail doping tests Pakistan pair fail doping tests
(20 minutes later)
Pakistan have withdrawn fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif from the Champions Trophy in India after positive drugs tests.Pakistan have withdrawn fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif from the Champions Trophy in India after positive drugs tests.
The tests were carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board three weeks ago and showed positive results for performance-enhancing drugs.The tests were carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board three weeks ago and showed positive results for performance-enhancing drugs.
Pakistan are due to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka in Jaipur on Tuesday.Pakistan are due to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka in Jaipur on Tuesday.
The PCB said it would make a statement later on Monday.The PCB said it would make a statement later on Monday.
The Pakistan team cancelled their scheduled morning training session following the news.The Pakistan team cancelled their scheduled morning training session following the news.
The International Cricket Council is also conducting random doping tests during the eight-nation Champions Trophy, ranked second only to the World Cup among the sport's limited-overs events.The International Cricket Council is also conducting random doping tests during the eight-nation Champions Trophy, ranked second only to the World Cup among the sport's limited-overs events.
But chief executive Malcolm Speed said it would be the PCB who would deal with the matter as they had carried out the testing before the tournament began.But chief executive Malcolm Speed said it would be the PCB who would deal with the matter as they had carried out the testing before the tournament began.
He told BBC Five Live: "We (the ICC) take a zero tolerance approach to doping in cricket. We are a signatory to the World Anti Doping Agency code. He confirmed the players had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Speed told BBC Five Live: "We (the ICC) take a zero tolerance approach to doping in cricket. We are a signatory to the World Anti Doping Agency code.
"It is very disappointing this has happened, it is very disappointing for these players but we will get to the bottom of it in the next day or so.""It is very disappointing this has happened, it is very disappointing for these players but we will get to the bottom of it in the next day or so."
Shoaib and Asif have both recently returned to action after spending most of the summer injured.Shoaib and Asif have both recently returned to action after spending most of the summer injured.
Shoaib, 31, underwent a double knee operation in February and 23-year-old Asif has been struggling with an elbow injury.Shoaib, 31, underwent a double knee operation in February and 23-year-old Asif has been struggling with an elbow injury.
Drugs in sport have become a huge issue but Speed said cricket did not have a worrying problem with performance-enhancing or recreational drugs.Drugs in sport have become a huge issue but Speed said cricket did not have a worrying problem with performance-enhancing or recreational drugs.
He added: "Generally cricket has been considered a low-risk sport. The risk for cricket has always been a player who is injured taking a substance inadvisedly to come back quickly from injury."He added: "Generally cricket has been considered a low-risk sport. The risk for cricket has always been a player who is injured taking a substance inadvisedly to come back quickly from injury."
Australia spinner Shane Warne was banned from cricket for a year in 2003 for testing positive for two separate diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.Australia spinner Shane Warne was banned from cricket for a year in 2003 for testing positive for two separate diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
The latest incident comes after a torrid six weeks for Pakistan Cricket.The latest incident comes after a torrid six weeks for Pakistan Cricket.
In August, Pakistan forfeited The Oval Test in a row over alleged ball-tampering and this led to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq being banned for four games for bringing the game into disrepute.In August, Pakistan forfeited The Oval Test in a row over alleged ball-tampering and this led to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq being banned for four games for bringing the game into disrepute.
Tour manager Zaheer Abbas was relieved of his duties. Inzamam's replacement for the Champions Trophy, Younis Khan, initially refused to lead the side, saying he did not want to be a "dummy" captain.Tour manager Zaheer Abbas was relieved of his duties. Inzamam's replacement for the Champions Trophy, Younis Khan, initially refused to lead the side, saying he did not want to be a "dummy" captain.
Former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan then quit the next day because of his decision and his replacement Nasim Ashraf reinstated Younis as skipper.Former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan then quit the next day because of his decision and his replacement Nasim Ashraf reinstated Younis as skipper.