Describing as harsh the ban on tainted pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif, former Pakistani captain Imran Khan today said this would adversely affect the country's chances in the World Cup next year.
Drawing a comparison between the one-year ban imposed on Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne and the two-year ban on Akhtar, Imran said the decision was harsh.
"Considering that Shane Warne got one year ban, it is a bit harsh. I do not know what transpired (here I am talking from pure ignorance), I do not know what went on during the hearing," Imran told news channel NDTV.
The legendary all-rounder, however, favoured the ban if the players were really guilty of taking the prohibited drug.
"I do think that if the players deliberately took banned substances to enhance their performance, then there should have been punishment as a deterrent for other sportsmen, for young children who look up to these players as their heroes and role models," he said.
"But, I do think that two years ban is too harsh," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"But, I do think that two years ban is too harsh," he added.
{{/usCountry}}