PCB to conduct pre-World Cup dope tests

As per the anti-doping policy of WADA, of which the ICC is a signatory, a second doping offence could lead to a life ban.

Ignoring warnings of a medical expert, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to go ahead with its out of competition dope tests for its World Cup-bound squad and set February 16 as the date for the same.

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Saleem Altaf, PCB Director of Cricket Operations, said that the tests would be conducted in Lahore despite warnings by an anti-doping and sports medicine expert that they could lead to life bans on fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

Akhtar and Asif tested positive for nandrolone in September and were banned for two and one years respectively, but the duo successfully appealed against the verdict.

Zaheer, who was on the appeals tribunal of the board that overturned the players' bans, has said that traces of the banned substance could still the duo's body and lead to positive tests again.

As per the anti-doping policy of WADA, of which the ICC is a signatory, a second doping offence could lead to a life ban.