WADA decision in 4 months
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Thursday it was likely to rule on the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal against the lifting of bans on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif within four months. "In accordance with the code of sports-related arbitration, the Arbitral Panel to be appointed will issue directions regarding the arbitration procedure in due course," the court said in a statement.A four month ruling in the Court of Sports Arbitration means both Shoaib and Asif are eligible to play in the World Cup. Assuming of course there are no 'fitness issues'..."As a general rule, the CAS delivers its decisions within four months from the filing of the appeal," the statement issued from Lausanne, Switzerland said. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) last month filed an appeal with the court against a decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Anti-Doping Appeals Committee. "In the decision against which the appeal has been filed, the PCB Anti-Doping Appeals Committee set aside a previous decision ... in which one-year and two-year periods of ineligibility were imposed on Mr. Mohammad Asif and Mr. Shoaib Akhtar respectively," the court's statement said.
It's good news for Pakistan. This will surely be Shoaib's last World Cup. I doubt he can bowl till he's 36 or 37.
I believe the scandal will die down. At least the process is not hurried, and its a lot more organized and transparent. And someone of repute is now in charge. The PCB should take notes and see how a real sports governing body operates.
Though an important lesson to be learned from all this is that the ICC and its member nations need some clear doping regulations and guidelines.
3 comments:
Well in my opinion the knife still hangs on Pakistan as CAS has said it will hand the decision within four months NOT at four months. The problem I see, IF the court runs through the process it may hand in a decision sooner and if it were to happen smack in the middle of the world cup we will be royally screwed upside down.
Its still a gamble, but gamble with two players on the squad will be too risky, I may be ready to play Asif and worry about one alternative then to have to play the ego-maniac shoaib also
Well I agree with Awab's point about the risk factor with regards to the timing of the impending decision. However, I would personally like the board to show some cahoneys and take that risk.
It should be mitigated by keeping an alternative plan ready to roll out in case an unfavorable decision occuring during the world cup.
We should go in full guns blazing and steam-roll into the event as much as we can. Id rather have the team facing the uncertainity in a quarter/semi final situation then at the beginning of the tournament with a bowling attack that doesnt quite bite.
Shoaib maybe an ego-maniac but when hes running down to bowl, the batsmen do leave a wet spot on their boxers.
Don't know how much of a dilemma that really is. If the WADA decision comes, then so be it. I believe they will have alternate plans lined up for the WC. And our bowling resources are not bad. They would just be a lot stronger if Asif and Shoaib were to play.
Play them both I say. When the decision comes, we can deal with it. The PCB should announce the selection in such a way where they announce 2 backup players in case the ban is reinstated.
That way, the PCB can look organized and Pakistanis wont be shocked. It would be as if the decision was expected and we had a plan B already in place.
Awab - Why the hate for Shoaib? :) I've read some of your posts before about him!
If a guy is at the top of his game, he allowed to do what he pleases. Ego comes with the territory.
Post a Comment