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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Asif and Shoaib to contest bans | Asif and Shoaib to contest bans |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Pakistan's Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are to appeal against bans for testing positive for a banned steroid. | Pakistan's Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are to appeal against bans for testing positive for a banned steroid. |
| Shoaib has a two-year ban but his doctor Hamed Tauseef Razzaq said: "We will show the world he is innocent. | Shoaib has a two-year ban but his doctor Hamed Tauseef Razzaq said: "We will show the world he is innocent. |
| "Shoaib has not cheated. He would never cheat and let his country or himself down. We're going to go all the way." | "Shoaib has not cheated. He would never cheat and let his country or himself down. We're going to go all the way." |
| Asif has been suspended for a year but, in his first public statement about the matter, denied knowingly taking nandrolone and said: "I will fight it." | Asif has been suspended for a year but, in his first public statement about the matter, denied knowingly taking nandrolone and said: "I will fight it." |
| Interview: Shoaib Akhtar's doctor Hamed Tosif Razaq | |
| The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising new-ball bowlers in international cricket over the past few months, claiming 30 wickets in six Tests at a cost of just 21 runs each. | The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising new-ball bowlers in international cricket over the past few months, claiming 30 wickets in six Tests at a cost of just 21 runs each. |
| "Sometimes you go through a crisis, like you don't get wickets or you are out of favour with selectors - but this is something I never thought of," he added. | "Sometimes you go through a crisis, like you don't get wickets or you are out of favour with selectors - but this is something I never thought of," he added. |
| "I have earned a name only on my God-given abilities and not on anything else. I knew nothing about doping." | "I have earned a name only on my God-given abilities and not on anything else. I knew nothing about doping." |
| Shoaib is very confident that, given a fair trial with the evidence we are going to be presenting, he will be acquitted Dr Hamed Tauseef Razzaq | Shoaib is very confident that, given a fair trial with the evidence we are going to be presenting, he will be acquitted Dr Hamed Tauseef Razzaq |
| It was thought there were traces of the steroid, nandrolone, in nutritional supplements Asif and Shoaib were taking. | It was thought there were traces of the steroid, nandrolone, in nutritional supplements Asif and Shoaib were taking. |
| Dr Razzaq says a panel of experts will prove the duo did not deliberately break rules. | Dr Razzaq says a panel of experts will prove the duo did not deliberately break rules. |
| "They will beyond doubt show how you can test positive for nandralone without taking it," he added. | "They will beyond doubt show how you can test positive for nandralone without taking it," he added. |
| "These boys have been taking food supplements available over the counter. They are legal herbal medicines and they can cause positive nandrolone tests. | "These boys have been taking food supplements available over the counter. They are legal herbal medicines and they can cause positive nandrolone tests. |
| "It doesn't mean they have been using illegal drugs to enhance their performance or speed up their recovery. | "It doesn't mean they have been using illegal drugs to enhance their performance or speed up their recovery. |
| "Shoaib is very confident that, given a fair trial with the evidence we are going to be presenting, he will be acquitted." | "Shoaib is very confident that, given a fair trial with the evidence we are going to be presenting, he will be acquitted." |
| Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has cancelled Shoaib and Asif's central contracts, says it will revise deals given to other players in line with their zero tolerance policy on doping. | Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has cancelled Shoaib and Asif's central contracts, says it will revise deals given to other players in line with their zero tolerance policy on doping. |
| New contracts will be awarded only to players who have played a minimum number of matches and will include incentive-based match fees. | New contracts will be awarded only to players who have played a minimum number of matches and will include incentive-based match fees. |