Pakistan coach summoned to doping inquiry by AFP

---

Player:	Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2006/07

---

DateLine: 28th October 2006

 

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has been summoned to appear at the inquiry investigating doping charges against fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, an official said Saturday.

 

Team physiotherapist Darryn Lifson will also appear before the three-member inquiry here on Wednesday.

 

"To meet all the requirements of justice we have now summoned coach Woolmer and physio Lifson for the next hearing," tribunal chief Shahid Hamid told reporters.

 

"Before submitting our recommendations to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) we would like to hear Woolmer and Lifson, as we feel that without hearing their point of view it would be tough to reach a conclusion," he added.

 

Woolmer and Lifson are expected to return on Saturday after Pakistan bowed out of the elite Champions Trophy in India, losing against South Africa by 124 runs on Friday.

 

Akhtar and Asif, who were pulled out of Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy last week, were cross-examined by medical experts on Saturday, Hamid said.

 

The bowlers said Friday they would not challenge the results of their positive tests for nandrolone carried out in a WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) laboratory in Malaysia, and declined to have their 'B' samples examined.

 

Woolmer, who took charge of the Pakistan team in July 2004, has accepted responsibility for initiating the dope tests of 17 players after they returned from the tour of England in September.

 

Akhtar, who returned to cricket only last month after missing Pakistan's Test series in England with an ankle injury, has denied cheating.

 

"I have not knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs and would never cheat my teammates or opponents in this way," the 31-year-old said.

 

The pair face a two-year ban, the minimum for a first offense under International Cricket Council doping rules. However, the PCB said it will make its own decision on any punishment since the tests were conducted internally.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)