Asif, Aktar in Doping Charges

[steds]

Inzi - can speak like Yoda.

[haroon510]

Originally Posted by Turbinator

haroon510 please change your avatar!! No no, I am just kidding, yea what can I say I was quite shocked and TBH (I'll be honest, unlike many of you Indian fans here) I was kind of delighted at the same time. I was sad because Asif is a great young cricketer with tremendous potential and has to go through this and Akhtar is also obviously a great bowler. Also, Asif doesn't look very educated to be able to deal with all this. But, however, I am kind of delighted too because if they get banned, as Indian fans and players, we won't have to worry about losing to are arch rivals anytime soon. However, if they are guilty then they don't deserve our pity. But if they are innocent, then I really do feel sad for them.

Good luck to all you Pakistanis, hope things get better soon. (I am NOT being sarcastic)

budy u never know
the way the pakistani team difeated Sir Lanka u never know that pakistan might defeat india too. it is unprodictable team and u know it. pakistan proved it that they are stil a strong side dispite all these conterversys.

[Xuhaib]

Good win for Pak but seriously who cares, team without Asif and Shoaib will eventually be found out when we play the real cricket i.e. test cricket.

[Sanz]

Originally Posted by Xuhaib

Good win for Pak but seriously who cares, team without Asif and Shoaib will eventually be found out when we play the real cricket i.e. test cricket.

That's what they said after Wasim and Waqar's retirement. They will learn to win without Shoaib and Asif. Pakistan beat India 4-2 in the ODI series in India without Asif and Shoaib in the team and lost the ODI series at home with Asif in the team.

[adharcric]

Originally Posted by Sanz

That's what they said after Wasim and Waqar's retirement. They will learn to win without Shoaib and Asif. Pakistan beat India 4-2 in the ODI series in India without Asif and Shoaib in the team and lost the ODI series at home with Asif in the team.

They might win certain series but they won't be the same team, especially in tests. An attack of Akhtar-Asif-Naved-Kaneria with Gul as reserve is world-class without doubt. You can't say that about an attack of Naved-Gul-Nazir-Kaneria.

[shortpitched713]

Originally Posted by adharcric

You can't say that about an attack of Naved-Gul-Nazir-Kaneria.

That's true, but throw Shabbir in the mix, and its still more than a handful for most teams.

[Xuhaib]

Originally Posted by shortpitched713

That's true, but throw Shabbir in the mix, and its still more than a handful for most teams.

Shabbir will never be able to play international cricket at a stretch, out of the current lot only Gul looks capable of performing at th test match leval maybe its time to take a gamble and fasttrack the U-19 sensations into international cricket.

[adharcric]

Originally Posted by shortpitched713

That's true, but throw Shabbir in the mix, and its still more than a handful for most teams.

Don't count on Shabbir. He's already been banned and even if he returns, who knows how effective he'll be after such a long layoff. He's also approaching 31.

[adharcric]

Originally Posted by Xuhaib

Shabbir will never be able to play international cricket at a stretch, out of the current lot only Gul looks capable of performing at th test match leval maybe its time to take a gamble and fasttrack the U-19 sensations into international cricket.

They probably shouldn't be fast-tracked into international cricket just yet, but not seeing them in Pakistan A sides is absolutely appalling.

[Xuhaib]

Originally Posted by adharcric

They probably shouldn't be fast-tracked into international cricket just yet, but not seeing them in Pakistan A sides is absolutely appalling.

The selection process in Pakistan is so poor excellent bowlers lik Abdur Rauf and Najaf Shah with proven first clas records are neglected and they keep on giving chances to ordinary bowlers like Mohd Khalil.

[Xuhaib]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0...5-23212,00.html

Shamed Shoaib will walk free

By Ben Dorries and Robert Craddock
October 18, 2006

FORMER Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja has shocked world cricket by claiming Pakistan is likely to hit disgraced fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar with a lettuce leaf rather than a sledgehammer.

The outspoken former batsman - and one-time Pakistan Cricket Board boss - believes Pakistan officials will refuse to hang their flashy quick out to dry despite his positive test to nandrolone.

Under international drug laws and supported by cricket's ruling body, the finding would result in a two-year ban.

"I think for the better of Pakistan cricket they will take the better road where they fine Shoaib and do not abandon him for good," Raja said.

"In his rehabilitation it was important to tell him what substances were banned.

"I think the Pakistan Cricket Board will have to ask a few questions and if the coaching staff was not involved, (ask) why the players were left on their own to be rehabilitated."

Because Shoaib and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif were nabbed in an in-house drugs test, the punishment will be decided by a hearing of the tribunal of the Pakistan board.

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh believes there is no justification for a player's failure to realise he was taking steroids.

"With the amount of education around these days there are no excuses," Waugh said.

"Players are told what they can and can't take. You are paid big money. You have to be aware of those things."

Recently resigned Pakistan chief executive Shaharyar Khan cast a pall of suspicion over Shoaib's reputation by refusing to support him.

"I was really very shocked when it was revealed that Asif had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug but in Shoaib's case I was less surprised," Khan said.

"Shoaib has been prone to injury and whenever he was recuperating he preferred to consult his own doctor rather than the PCB's doctor or support staff."

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said the PCB must take responsibility for the conduct of the two fast men because it had allowed a lack of discipline in the team.

"Players are allowed to do what they like and it's just not right," Javed said. "There should have been a lot more rules laid down in that side."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who leads his side into battle against the West Indies in India today, said his team was surprised by news of Shoaib's transgression.

"It caught us all a bit off guard and a bit by surprise when we found out and it was a bit of a discussion point among the group," Ponting said. "I don't think any of us know enough about it yet to say if we show any sympathy towards them or not.

"It's disappointing for the game on a world scale to have a few more accusations flying around about drugs in the game.

"It would be incredibly disruptive to their team but in saying that there's generally a bit going on around their group so they should be able to handle it a bit better than most. "

[shortpitched713]

Originally Posted by adharcric

He's also approaching 31.

Wow, didn't know that. For whatever reason I thought he was a young gun.

[pasag]

This mornings paper said a 3-6 month ban is likley.

[Pratters]

Should be banned 2 years technically yes. Whether they will be remains skeptic.

BTW the Shane Warne 1 year ban Cricket Australia gave him.. what would have been the ban period if the ICC had caught him or according to WADA? In other words, how much should he have been banned?

[Turbinator]

Originally Posted by Xuhaib

The selection process in Pakistan is so poor excellent bowlers lik Abdur Rauf and Najaf Shah with proven first clas records are neglected and they keep on giving chances to ordinary bowlers like Mohd Khalil.

It's probably because these selectors keep getting mixed up between all these different Mohds and Abdurs and Abduls etc etc.