Shoaib, Asif to get complete transfusion from Razzaq's blood

In order to remove all traces of Nandrolone from their urine in record time, the PCB has launched an incredible and impressive secret campaign. Adbul Razzaq, an important, yet replaceable member of the squad, conveniently fractured his knee just minutes before leaving for the Caribbean. In an interview, he appeared completely befuddled as to how it happened. Chloroform, anyone?

Meanwhile, the rest of the squad, including the reserves, and even a few spectators, have already pissed in cups and been cleared by some drug testing authority in Malaysia. Wasn't the movie "Entrapment", starring Sean Connery, filmed in Malaysia? Didn't Connery play Bond for a while? Wasn't "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" the worst film ever made? Exactly. That's shady too.

Doctors in England will be making the world's first (maybe 100th – who knows. First sounds better.) complete blood transfusion and muscle sieving procedure to remove the controversial nandrolone from Asif and Shoaib's body. Then they will use Abdul Razzaq's blood to fill them up again. It's dramatic, it's crazy, but it just might work. As long as they don't somehow infuse the two with Razzaq's somewhat insipid bowling ability, it sounds completely foolproof.

Of course, questions abound. Is the procedure safe? In particular, will Razzaq survive after donating every ounce of his blood? The answer is: who gives? We've got Azhar, haven't we? They're practically the same person.

If all goes well, Shoaib and Asif will be nandrolone-free and ready to roll when Pakistan take on the Windies in a couple of weeks. In fact, they might as well pop a few more doses while they're at it…

Co-authored by Billu.net
Cross-posted at Billu.net and Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan

Back from California: omarlovescricket returns to cricket blogging

Ah - I'm back from sunny San Francisco. It was a welcome break away from the bitter cold. Though, upon my return, I learned that the weather this past weekend at home was actually pretty warm. Balls! Such is my luck.

What you missed
Fans and haters of omarlovescricket must visit the Bay area at some point. There is no cricket there, unfortunately, but there are plenty of wineries, even more wineries, spectacular views and great food! It's a beautiful city. Very picturesque.

Cricket stuff I missed
Upon my return, I was excited to learn that Australia have been white-washed in New Zealand. Well that's spectacular news! Always refreshing to see the great Aussies getting whipped. Naturally, Gilchrist followed up their embarrassing series loss with the expected, "We didn't really want to tour New Zealand in the first place" argument. Well, Mr. Gilchrist, boo fucking hoo!

Mathew Hayden smashed 181 runs! Bloody hell. King can't be too pleased about this. Apparently Hayden also poked fun at Inzi after his feat, which doesn't make me too happy either.

I was gone for a week, which is adequate time for a Pakistani controversy. Apparently Woolmer called Shoaib Akhtar "blacky". Sigh....

Ahmer sums it up.

Pakistan is also in the midst of dope testing all its players. The whole world awaits the results...

Michael Holding, another omarhatescricket favorite, in an undiplomatic manner, slams the associate nations playing the World Cup. Zainub at Sundries sums it up. Though I agree with Holding, I also recognize that the ICC isn't perhaps doing enough to promote the quality of cricket in these nations. I am, however, confidant that these nations will improve with time.

And last but not least, another cricketing hate list spawns. Billu.net has recently just launched a blog series discussing (or rather cursing) various characters they don't want to ever invite for dinner.

Ludicrous call for Pakistan's expulsion from World Cup

Amongst other complaints, respected columnist Ian Wooldridge in the Daily Mail calls for Pakistan's removal from the World Cup in light of the controversial drug appeals for Shoaib and Asif.

Cricket's World Cup opens next month in the West Indies. I may just be alone in anticipating its start with a violent political explosion — a demand for the expulsion of Pakistan.

If you recall, two of Pakistan's most volatile fast bowlers were found guilty of drug abuse in October. Shoaib Akhtar was banned for two years, Mohammad Asif for one.

Both appealed. Their appeals were heard by Pakistan's Cricket Board without external influence. Both were exonerated. Both were immediately chosen to play again. Don't tell me this is going to pass unnoticed.

Well, this is never going to happen, but Mr. Wooldrige's frustration does not go unnoticed by this blogger. We understand that the cricket world is unhappy and frustrated with the lack of transparency which followed the PCB's drug scandal. We feel you....and we have written countless posts slamming the PCB's handling of the situation.

However, one must realize that the process is not in Pakistan's hands anymore. And furthermore, this matter is certainly not closed as Mr. Wooldridge accurately notes. The appeal is being reviewed by WADA and they have the authority to recommend the banning of players to the ICC. Additionally, the Pakistani players will be retested later next months, according to the PCB.

If anything, the players should be banned, not the whole bloody country.

WADA decision in 4 months

From Cricinfo...

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.

"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.

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'...

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.

Doping Scandal continues: WADA files appeal

As everyone expected, save the PCB who assumed they were now in the clear, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has officially filed an appeal in the Court of Sports Arbitration. They want the ban on Shoaib and Asif to be instated. From IHT...

WADA appealed that decision on Thursday to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. "WADA believes that the decision to overturn the sports sanctions is not in conformity with the World Anti-Doping Code," WADA spokesman Frederic Donze said in a statement Friday. "WADA has determined that it has the right — and the duty — to appeal in the circumstances in the interest of doping-free sport."

Can the players compete while this appeals process is occurring?

Now the PCB are really screwed. I doubt they ever thought it would come to this. The world is watching the PCB again. How will they respond...

WADA aims to challenge Shoaib, Asif doping reprieve

I doubted the ICC and WADA would let Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif off as easily. I am guessing a long and arduous legal battle will probably ensue. I don't know why the PCB are being so naive and stubborn about this. The matter is NOT closed, which is what the PCB are claiming. This whole process has made Pakistan look bad according to international eyes. Whether or not the players are innocent is not even the question anymore. The legality, transparency and appeals process that was applied is in question. The ICC and WADA are joining hands and probably have the authority to put their foot down and order re-testing, or perhaps place the ban again on the players. From the IHT...

ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed said his organization will offer WADA its full support.

"Our lawyers have examined the finding of the (Pakistan appeals panel) and do not believe the ICC has a right of appeal, but we will cooperate with WADA and provide it with any assistance it requires," Speed said Monday.

The World Anti-Doping Agency will argue to the Court of Arbitration of Sport that Pakistan is a full member of the ICC, which signed up to its code in July.

Seems like the PCB is preparing to defend its decision to the hilt. I just hope this happens well before the World Cup.

As expected, everyone and their mother begins slamming lifting of doping ban

“If I'm walking into a shit storm I want to know which way the wind's blowing”...wise words from Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) in Spy Games. After I wasted 8$ on that movie, this line was probably the only thing that I cared to remember from that crappy film. Somehow or the other, while I was reading all the posts, blogs, and opinion commentaries this morning....the quote came to me and I felt it was quite appropriate for the current situation.

The PCB, which has really bungled one thing after another this year, must have expected this storm...don't know if they knew the direction of the wind though! They can't be that naive, can they?. But they are getting slammed left, right, and center, and rightly so. Their credibility is tarnished and the entire process is nothing but a joke now. My thoughts on this verdict are presented below and were published yesterday...

The Australian boasts a sports headline entitled "Pakistan plays by own rules"...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to have played the cricket world off a break after an appeals board reversed the drug bans of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

As unjust and embarrassing as this decision appears, the PCB can, not for the first time, continue to thumb its nose at the game with impunity because of cricket's shambolic structure.

The article argues that..

At the very least the cricketers should have been forced to prove how the banned substance entered their bodies. This is a prerequisite for a reduction of the sanction under the "exceptional circumstances" rule.

If the bans against Shoaib and Asif are not reinstated then, a little more than a month after the ICC sacked umpire Darrell Hair in disgraceful circumstances and agreed to re-admit pariah Zimbabwe into the Test arena next year, the cricket world will be left without credibility. Yet again.

Well, that parting shot about Hairgate is understandable from an Australian paper. Though the public may differ, Pakistan's daily's weren't too ecstatic. As reported by the IndiaTimes...

"Regardless of a split decision among the three-member review panel that heard their appeals, both Shoaib and Asif have in fact been proved to have taken a banned substance. No review panel in the world can change that fact," an editorial in 'The Post' said.

In the hard-hitting editorial, titled "A strange let-off", it said if the decision of the tribunal was driven by subjective reasons rather than hard evidence, why did they not assign any weight to the pride of Pakistan cricket that would be damaged by fielding two established dope cheaters.

"A nation's pride is much more valuable than the pride of any individual. If by some miracle, Pakistan can win the World Cup utilizing two druggies, will it add to the pride of our nation," it wondered. In a special article, 'The Nation' ridiculed Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Dr. Naseem Ashraf for singing different tunes.

"In what is tantamount to a most stunning total reversal, the tribunal reviewing the appeals of Pakistan's pace spearheads in its verdict has acquitted the duo, overturning the one and two year bans respectively imposed by a PCB tribunal only 34 days ago," it said.

The decision may come as a huge relief for the Pakistan cricket team but the risks of "disgrace" by bringing the two back could be great, it said.

The most important and influential player in this process might probably be WADA, the World Anti Doping Agency. From Reuters...

WADA official Frederic Donze told a Pakistani newspaper that the appeals commission's decision appeared to be unreasonable and a violation of the international anti-doping code.

"We have decided to take up the matter with the ICC. My personal view is that the decision taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board panel is unreasonable," Donze was quoted as saying in The News on Wednesday. Donze said WADA would first look into the decision of the tribunal before making further comments.

On the other end of the spectrum, Brian Lara, who is currently in Pakistan urged people to not jump to conclusions...

West Indies captain Brian Lara urged respect on Wednesday for a decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board to clear bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif of doping and said he hoped there would not be a negative reaction. "We must respect the decision of the Pakistan board. They are people of integrity in there," Lara told a news conference before the second one-day international on Thursday. "I just hope that the negativity surrounding this case does not spiral into anything else," he said.

As far as the ICC goes, Percy Sonn said...

"..the judgment of an appellate tribunal to revoke the bans imposed hardly a month ago showed that there were "inconsistencies" in Pakistan's anti-doping process.

"The judgment highlights inconsistencies in the Pakistan Cricket Board's anti-doping processes and regulations," Sonn said in a statement.

"Cricket has taken significant strides forward in addressing the important issue of drug use in our sport. However, this judgment emphasizes that much more work needs to be done to educate players and to synchronize our Members' efforts to attain a totally drug-free sport," he said.

The under-fire PCB chairman Nasib Ashraf was firmly standing by the appeals process, with WADA chief Dick Pound disagreeing....

Nasib Ashraf, PCB chairman, said after the appeal panel's decision that neither the ICC nor WADA could overturn the Akhtar and Asif verdict. "The ICC or WADA cannot intervene because the doping tests were conducted out of competition by the PCB, and the chapter is now closed," Ashraf said.

WADA head Dick Pound disagreed with the appeal panel's assertion that the players should have been warned. "No, it's quite clear that if you are an international athlete, you've got to be aware of the risks," Pound said. "You don't get any points for saying someone forgot to warn me."

Well...the next step seems to be fresh doping tests for both these players...Lets see where we go from there.

What a farce! Ban for Shoaib and Asif overturned

Is this a joke? Barely a month after the PCB slaps bans on Shoaib and Asif, their appeals tribunal overturns them. This is ridiculous. The entire cricketing world is laughing at us. These is no way that they will be willing to accept this verdict, especially since the PCB paraded them as guilty and left them out to dry. This whole process stinks of incompetence, with the powers-that-be, possibly protecting the star players of the national team. There is no doubt in my mind that the initial verdict was hasty. As my colleague in the blogging world points out, there seemed to be a rush to decision making by the PCB.

They rushed to judgment, and now the country looks like a bunch of bumbling idiots. They should have played it safer earlier. They should have either: (1) stuck to their time-honored traditions of secrecy and dealt with the matter behind closed doors; or (2) opened it to the world and had a proper trial - not one where the sentence was, as it appears, pre-determined, but a real and proper and final one.

What has happened is neither here nor there. And it is shameful. And it makes us look shady.

I'd like to point out that initially, though I felt it was all happening to fast and it might be hasty, I welcomed the ban as the correct and fair decision. This is because I never imagined a complete acquittal being the eventual scenario, plus I assumed a fair and thorough trial.

The PCB were so hell-bent on protecting their own skin. They made the test results public as soon as possible, removed Asif and Akhtar from the Champions squad, thus saving themselves from the embarrassment of a rumored ICC doping test. The PCB, which usually keeps its inner workings and secrets tighter than the KGB, suddenly became the most righteous cricketing authority in the world, handing down 'justice' and verdicts like no other. They banned their rising phenomenon, Mohammed Asif and their tried and tested match winner, Shoaib Akhtar. What a show!

Will the ICC recognize this new verdict? Does the World Doping Agency have a say in this matter? I'm sure they will. Osman Samiuddin's piece in cricinfo hints towards their possible involvement.

The ICC did not have any immediate reaction. "Malcolm Speed is currently in Uganda and we can't comment on the issue unless we have all the details," said Brian Murgatroyd, the ICC spokesman. "We need to go through the judgment and also get the PCB's version before making any comment."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in charge of monitoring drugs in sport, said they needed to discuss the matter with the ICC. Frederic Donze, their media relations officer, told Cricinfo: "We will now review the reasons for the decision, liaise with the ICC and consider whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Amidst all this turmoil, the players themselves are awaiting a comeback, and are obviously being brought up for selection. This may not be so simple. From BBC...

Pakistan have resisted the temptation to recall key pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif for Thursday's second one-day international with West Indies. Neither has played since September and chief selector Wasim Bari said: "I will have to talk to the other selectors before deciding when to consider them."

Let's just wait and see what happens, but I don't think they should play till the ICC and WADA have come to their conclusions. Since 'exceptional circumstances' as being defined differently by the PCB, ICC or WADA came up as the crux of their defense, I suspect some more tests are in order. The ICC which happily accepted the tribunals initial verdict may not be so accommodating to this one.

This process has been embarrassing, taxing and waste of time. I have a feeling Pakistanis are probably overjoyed by this decision. Other cricket fans won't be too happy about this and that's not because two incredible bowlers may return; but that this process of banning and overturning the ban a month later has lacked transparency and looks crooked as hell. I have no explanation...

As far as the players go, if they do join the squad for the SA tour, I can only begin to imagine how the crowd will deal with them. The PCB has not treated them well, which is what we know for sure, and they have gotten true justice. Who knows? The process should have been thorough in the beginning, when they were assumed guilty before the hearings even began. That makes it highly unlikely for anyone to believe and trust them.

I don't know if they are guilty of doping or not, and I suppose no one knows. From what I have read about Nandrolone, it is quite possible that it can be produced endogenously. The Pakistani public will accept this reasoning and give them the benefit of doubt. I'd like to see some more testing and some independent scientific analysis of the results. For all we know, the Shoaib and Asif really could be clean as a whistle, and their dietary supplements may be the cause of the illegal substances.

This trial, retrial and so on has raised more questions than it has has answered, and I think this will continue for a while...

Reprieve for Akhtar and Asif likely outcome

From what I am reading, it seems like the verdict for tomorrows appeal process is likely to be in favor of the banned Pakistani bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. Most of the media reports and rumors seem to be pointing towards a reduction of the ban. I am genuinely surprised about this and I posted an article from the rumor mill a few days ago. From cricketzone.com...

...one of the members of the appeal committee Haseeb Ahsan said he was impressed with the way the bowlers presented their argument which gave the panel a new perspective in the case.

Whatever perspective the lawyers presented must have been pretty strong and pretty unique. Though these reports say that the ban might be reduced, according to their sources, the ban will not be lifted. From thenews.com.pk...

The committee which also includes doping expert Dr Danish Zaheer has taken a longer time to decide the case than expected but Haseeb said that such important issues cannot be dealt with in a hurry. “It is a matter of national importance and we wanted to give the players a fair chance to defend themselves,” he said.

Haseeb said that “personally he has reached the conclusion that the players did not get such a fair chance” during the proceedings of the inquiry tribunal last month.

“The lawyers of the two players especially Abid Minto who is representing Shoaib Akhtar have really fought the case well and several new points were raised during the proceedings of this committee which are quite important,” said Haseeb without revealing anything more.

There is no doubt that if this ban were to be reduced, it would aid Pakistan greatly. However, I think a reduction makes the entire process a complete mockery. Why did these players not hire hotshot lawyers in the first place? Was there not enough time? If the players were not adequately represented, then who's fault is that?

The evidence and the bottom line, as far as the public understands it, is that these two players doped up. They took a banned substance, which is illegal. The ban was harsh, yet fair and it was accepted by most. Though the players have a right to an appeal, I am not sure what could be so different now that it lets them off with a lighter punishment.

If Shoaib and Asif do get a lighter sentence, then the PCB and the appeals committee better have some really good reasons for it. If we let our star bowlers off the hook on this one, the international cricketing community is not going to let this one go easily. Will they accept this second verdict? This reprieve? They will have a hard time swallowing the fact that the PCB has succumbed to public pressure and reinstated the offending players. In fact, the ICC might even have a say in this matter and conduct their own dope tests. Nothing has been set in stone yet and I am just thinking out aloud, but I just hope the people in charge are considering all options thoroughly.

What? Asif being exonerated of doping charges...

Found this link on Orkut...Don't know how valid it is. I do know that the appeals tribunal is set to release its verdict on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif doping ban appeal.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is all set to exonerate Mohammad Asif from doping charges but the other tainted pacer Shoaib Akhtar is not likely to get any reprieve, claims local media.

Quoting PCB sources, a local daily claimed PCB would let off Asif, giving the youngster a benefit of doubt but chances are really bleak that temperamental Shoaib Akhtar would get the same favour.

The tribunal set up for hearing the appeals of Shoaib and Asif against their ban would announce its verdict in a day or two.

‘’However it is likely that Mohammad Asif would be absolved of all charges by giving him benefit of the doubt. While the sentence on Shoaib Akhtar of two years ban would be upheld,’ the daily said.

“According to sources, the tribunal consisting of Justice Fakhruddin, Dr Danish Zaheer and Hasib Ahsan reviewed the lawyers arguments during the appeal hearings,'’ it added.

It also claimed that the tribunal has refuted demands by Shoaib’s lawyer that the ‘’Rawalpindi Express'’ had not signed the new contract and hence dope laws were not applicable on him. PCB, however, scuttled the move by providing an old copy of Shoaib’s agreement, consisting of dope condition, which he had signed.

In contrast, Asif had neither signed any central contract or participated in any dope test awareness programme, the report claimed.

Losing Mohammad Asif is truly tragic

Perhaps I can understand the Shoaib Akhtar who was caught red-handed with his hand in the steroid jar, but I still cannot reconcile myself with Mohammad Asif doping. I don't see how he could possibly gain from this. I read the PCB media release regarding the tribunals findings. Asif just seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Although I may not agree with it, I believe his appeal might be accepted and that his ban might be lifted. Though its not going to look good through international eyes, the PCB might be inclined to listen to his side of the story with more intent. I sincerely hope they don't lift the ban. No one who cheats using chemicals should be on the team. But this is Pakistani cricket...stranger things have happened.

I lot of the focus throughout this doping scandal has been on Shoaib Akhtar, but the true tragedy is Mohammad Asif. He is only 23, so he will definitely make a comeback after a year...but its terrible that he had to do something like this. After reading his statement and his defense, it is clear why the tribunal went a little easier on Asif.

The case of Mohammad Asif is on a somewhat different footing with regard to the level of his responsibility. Mohammad Asif became a regular member of the Pakistan Team in March 2006. He was not tested previously. It is not shown that he was ever present at any lecture or session with regard to the Anti Doping Regulations or list of prohibited substances. There is some doubt whether he was even handed over the WADA 2006 list of prohibited substances and WADA Athlete Guide prior to the departure of the team for the England tour in August 2006. He was amongst those who gave his sample on the very first date of sample taking viz 25.9.2006 and did not try and delay the sample taking. He said in response to a question put by us that he had been using Promax but had stopped as soon as the Team Physiotherapist told him to do so. Mr. Darryn Lifson the Team Physiotherapist has confirmed before us that Mohammad Asif stopped the use of Promax-50 (purchased by him locally) as soon as he was told to do so. We have ourselves noticed during the hearings that Mohammad Asif's command of English is limited and we are clear that he could not possibly have understood the WADA publications without someone helping him to understand their contents. No such guidance or counseling was provided. He has stated before us that he is unable to explain why his urine sample has tested positive for the nandrolone metabolite. 38.

I am not sure if he knew or not, whether he was taking steroids. But one can feel a lot sorrier for him than Akhtar, mainly because he seems like a lamb compared to his senior bowling partner. Since its the same drug they both got caught for, one can assume they got it from the same source and both knew about it. Anyway that is all speculation. There were also rumors about Asif and Cannabis, which I wrote about earlier. If that is to be believed (which it really shouldn't), then these two are pot buddies.

Back to the tragedy....Asif came into the fold of international cricket just this March. He had 261 wickets at 24.37 from just 65 first class matches. His strike rate of 40 brought in 15 five wicket hauls and 5 ten wicket hauls.

In international cricket, his 6 test matches brought him 30 wickets at 21.16. His strike rate improved to 38.63 and brought him 2 five wicket hauls and a single ten wicket haul.

Anyone who has seen him bowl is impressed. This kid can move the new ball like no one I have seen before, save McGrath. he has barely started his test career, but he has gotten some of the biggest guys out. Dravid, Laxman, Sangakarra....and the list goes. He came into focus with 10 wickets against England A as part of the Pakistan A team the tourists during the warm up games. That was barely a year ago. Since then he become Pakistan's strike opening bowler. Pakistan was handicapped without his services in the first 3 tests of the England tour which ended horribly in more ways than one for Pakistan.

I stand by the PCB in their attempts to clean up the acts of their players. However, they need to make greater efforts to make sure the players understand the rules. Pakistani players have limited understanding of international rules, customs and laws. It is the job of the administration to help out. Mohd. Asif should be punished and the reason why he got only a year and not 2, is because part of the blame should be on the hands of the PCB.

Nevertheless, his career is not over. He will be tarnished by the stain of drugs forever. Instead of appealing and proclaiming his innocence, he needs to take the backseat, and let the more flamboyant Akhtar take the 'limelight' during this scandal. He needs to disappear for this year, clean up his act, and let his incredible bowling do the talking when he returns. That is the only way he will be vindicated in the country's eyes.

Shoaib's protein cocktail

What the hell is he taking? Is this normal? From the PCB doping tribunal's report...

BLAZE XTREME (a fat burning supplement contaning the All-Star MVPs: Delta 5-E, Tyramine, Forskolin, EGCG (a special constitutent of green Tea), Bacosides A & B, TTA and Caffeine)

NITRON5 containing ornithine and arginine.

ERGOLEAN AMP. Pre-Workout Neuro-stimulant/ Thermogenic Monster.

SIZE ON. It contains Creatine Gluconate (cell volumizer) creatine

Promax 50 (from Fleximuscle, London) a liquid protein diet.

Viper-an isotonic drink to boost the immunity.

T-Bomb II. It is like Testosterone on Testosterone

He also admits taking Herbal medicines (masculinity/strength boosters).

He has also been taking mixed pill vitamins.

My goodness....

PCB bans Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif

I was alseep when I got my brother's text message this afternoon. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been banned. As expected, Akhtar has been banned for two years, which is the prescribed timeline for a ban according to the WADA. However Asif, thankfully, has been banned only for a single year. I knew they would be banned, but atleast its official now. I think we can kiss our World Cup dreams goodbye... Our bowling attack is quite weak without them...but I am pleased that these two are getting what they deserve.

I sincerely hope the ICC respects this ruling. I am sure we will expect a statement from them really soon. As soon as Malcolm Speed is done bashing Modi and the BCCI, we can perhaps hear something more about how they expect to combat doping and perhaps set down official guidelines. More importantly I hope the other boards, players and fans find this ruling fair. I will ask my blogging colleagues their opinion about this over the next few days.

The PCB released their ruling this morning, Pakistan time. It is a massive press release, by any standards, and very well written. It consists of 39 points. Its definately interesting reading as Osman Samiuddin pointed out.

Point 16 is interesting. I am sure the more conservative amongst us will find just another few things to bash Shoaib about...I'm just waiting to read Dawn's letters this week.

A 31 year old gentleman, well oriented in time and space Shoaib Akhtar was born with two congenital deformities-Flat feet and hyper-extensive joints. Supreme athlete playing competitive international sport, Shoaib weighs 85 kgs and stands at 5 ft 11½ inches. His waist is 34, chest 44 and biceps 12½ inches.

Occasional smoker and a past history of infrequent alcohol consumption, with a penchant for western lifestyle, sexually active Shoaib has an unremarkable medical history. There is history of bronchial asthma (atopy). However his surgical/trauma history is quite remarkable.

Shoaib is a mentally tough individual having withstood enormous social pressures. At one time his career was at stake charged to have an illegal bowling action. He underwent extensive biomechanical diagnostic and rehabilitation session in Australia and returned to bowl himself to peak.

That he drinks, smokes, and enjoys female company is no one else's business but his own, but its amusing that this was presented to the panel. Don't quite see how it helps. I also like how he calls himself a 'supreme athlete' who is 'mentally tough' in his own statement. It's nice to see that even in the most dire of times, Shoaib Akhtar still displays the same arrogance we all love and hate him for.

Do I feel bad for him? I guess I do. I like Shoaib Akhtar. I like the fact that he's Pakistani, and the envy of other nations and therefore I can be proud of him. I have always loved watching the dozens of youtube videos of him screaming down the pitch and bowling batsman. That's inspirational stuff and always gets the hair crawling at the back of my neck. We must remember him for what he gave us and not for who he is. He's arrogant, proud, got success too fast, aggressive, indisciplined and cricket's modern day prima donna. Yet it was us, the public, that pushed him into the limelight and moulded him into what he is today.

Undoubtedly he has disappointed the nation and a 2 year ban is the ultimate punishment for his misjudgment. I am sure no one feels this more than he does, and I hope Pakistanis remember Shoaib as our flag bearer, continuing the legacy of the country's flamboyant fast bowlers. The punishment has been decreed, Shoaib will serve his ban out, and thats where the story must end. After a two year ban, its hard to see him making a comeback. Cricket is going to be that much duller without Shoaib Akhtar.

Parore accuses Pakistani pacemen of dabbling in dope since the 90's

Adam Parore in the New Zealand Herald wrote a very interesting article about how this drug controversy just served to compound his already-held beliefs that Pakistani bowlers have been taking performance enhancing drugs for a while. Here are the relevant pieces of his column.

The only thing surprising about the two Pakistan players failing drugs tests is that it hasn't happened sooner. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif failed tests for the steroid nandrolone and are out of the Champions Trophy. They have a hearing coming up this week and B samples to confirm the findings. If the results are confirmed they should have the book thrown at them, which means a two-year ban, although they might escape with a far shorter suspension, given that the Pakistan board is acting as the judicial panel.

I'm certain this has been going on for years with Pakistan's fast bowlers. We often looked sideways at what some of them were able to achieve. It's not normal to bowl 25 overs on a searing hot day and seem to get faster as the day wears on. I remember thinking more than once in the subcontinent, "somethings not right here". I prided myself on being pretty fit during my career. I'd look at some of these guys and think "you can't do that".

Well, naturally I was startled by his accusation. So I decided to see if atleast the games he played in showed something interesting or maybe alluded to the fact that the Pakistani fast bowlers might be doping. ....

Adam Parore has played only 2 tests in Pakistan, in the 1996/97 season.

New Zealand won the first one by 44 runs. Here are Pakistan's bowling figures for the first innings....

Bowling O M R W
Waqar Younis 15 3 48 4
Shahid Nazir 8 3 15 1
Mushtaq Ahmed 22.1 4 59 4
Saqlain Mushtaq 12 3 24 1

and the second innings....

Bowling O M R W
Waqar Younis 15 6 26 1
Shahid Nazir 16 1 84 1
Mushtaq Ahmed 32 8 84 6
Saqlain Mushtaq 22.2 4 95 2 (1nb)

Hmm...Nothing untoward here. Spinners routinely bowl large chunks of overs. But as Parore was talking about 25+ overs bowled in a day AND the bowler getting faster and faster, I assume he was talking about Waqar and Shahid, who bowled..well..you can read it yourself....less than 20 overs each.

It's possible that Shahid and Waqar bowled them at a stretch....did they? I read the match report as well. Nothing stood out here. Apparently NZ well and truly beat us on the 3rd day. Simon Doull doing most of the damage.

# Day 1: New Zealand 155, Pakistan 52/5 (Saleem Malik 11*, Moin Khan 5*)
# Day 2: Pakistan 191, New Zealand 88/3 (Fleming 12*, Astle 3*)
# Day 3: New Zealand 311, Pakistan 46/5 (Saleem Malik 15*, Mohammad Wasim 0*)

The kiwis only batted 57 overs on the first day. Got Pakistan all out by the middle of the 2nd. And batted till the 3rd. Which means Pakistan bowled at the kiwis in their 2nd innings on the 2nd and 3rd day. So, there is no way, anyone bowled a bunch of overs continously.

The tall and bearded paceman Simon Doull had destroyed the Pakistani batting by claiming five wickets for 46 runs in the first innings. He took three wickets for 39 runs in the second innings, despite having cramps in his thigh, to have a match haul of eight for 85. Simon Doull was declared the "Man-of-the-Match".

There is not much here about the Pakistani pace bowlers, except on the first day, when Waqar took 4 on a seaming track. But by then NZ was all out pretty soon after tea, and Waqar had bowled only 15 overs.
--------------------------------

Maybe the 2nd test had something funny occurrence happen? Maybe a fast bowler went crazy and bowled a 100 overs. Lets see.

Bowling O M R W
Mohammad Zahid 21 5 64 4 (9nb)
Shahid Nazir 9 3 23 0
Mohammad Akram 12 1 48 0
Mushtaq Ahmed 30 3 87 6
Saleem Malik 2 0 9 0 (1nb)

and...

Bowling O M R W
Mohammad Zahid 20 3 66 7 (12nb, 1w)
Mohammad Akram 7 2 11 0
Mushtaq Ahmed 22 7 52 2 (1nb)
Shahid Nazir 7 1 19 1
Saleem Malik 2 0 13 0

No need to write down the boring details, but one can infer from the match analysis, the number of overs....etc...that no fast bowler bowled more than 25 in a day. In fact, never more than 15.

# Day 1: New Zealand 215/8 (Germon 45*, Patel 6*)
# Day 2: New Zealand 249, Pakistan 269/2 (Saeed Anwar 130*, Mushtaq Ahmed 1*)
# Day 3: Pakistan 430, New Zealand 69/0 (Young 38*, Vaughan 26*)

This was Mohammad Zahid's debut. He got 7 wickets in the 2nd innings. But did he bowl his 20 overs at a stretch? I looked at the match report...

PAKISTAN completed an emphatic victory by an innings and 13 runs against New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to draw the Wills Series.

The match was over a mere 53 minutes after lunch on the fourth day, when New Zealand, who were facing a first-innings deficit of 181, were shattered by 20-year-old medium-pacer Mohammad Zahid to be all out for 168 after having resumed at 69 without loss.

Zahid, from Gaggu Mandi in the Punjab, near the village where Waqar Younis hails from, pulverised the Kiwis' batting by taking seven wickets for 66 to finish with match figures of 11 for 130 to secure the man of the match award and also become the first Pakistan bowler to capture 10 wickets or more on his debut.

Of medium height but with a strong shoulder, Zahid started his rout with the first five of the six wickets that fell before lunch to reduce New Zealand to 137 for six. Moving the ball both ways and extracting a great deal of swing off the pitch, he was too hot to handle once Justin Vaughan was lbw for 27 after sharing an opening stand of 82 with Bryan Young.

Adam Parore, dropped by Inzamam-ul-Haq in the slips off leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed when one, was Zahid's next victim, rapped on the pad in front of the wicket as the ball cut back. Young, the only player to bat with authority, hit 61, with six fours in 174 minutes, before slashing a catch to gully. When captain Lee Germon was deceived off a swinging yorker and Nathan Astle fell lbw, Zahid had taken five for 47 in 11 overs, his first five-wicket Test haul.

I still don't know how many overs were bowled in the 3rd day when New Zealand were batting. But I can make some assumptions...

They ended that day at 69 runs. If they went at 3 runs an over, 23 overs were bowled. If 5 runs an over, then 14 overs were bowled. Since its the new ball, we can assume all the bowlers were pacemen. Since Zahid bowled 20 overs in that innings total, he could have bowled up to 12 of those overs, or 7 at a minimum.

Point being....Parore is has no basis for his accusations....

Shoaib, Asif and Mary Jane

This is getting silly, yet still very amusing! The press is smoking (pun intended) these two and making them look like a couple of regular 'corner of the street' druggies! What a believable conversation though! So interesting...


From Dawn.com

KARACHI, Oct 16: While Pakistan cricket was rocked by another unwanted scandal on Monday, an eye-witness from last month�s eventful tour of England disclosed that both Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif smoked cannabis during the five-match One-day series there.

According to the eye-witness, both Shoaib and Asif used the �stuff� after Pakistan had won the third One-day International at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Sept 5, almost two weeks after the infamous Oval fiasco.

After the day/night fixture, Shoaib was seen allegedly smoking a cannabis-filled cigarette on the lawn of the team hotel along with Pakistan bowling coach, Waqar Younis.

Asif, meanwhile, practised something similar in the privacy of his room on the hotel�s first floor. The eye-witness saw Asif pull out some of the tobacco from his cigarette to stuff it with the banned substance.

He then lit up his cigarette in presence of Azhar Mota, an England-based recruiting agent who had come to strike a deal with Asif for a county contract.

Asif was then seen smoking away merrily as he asked Azhar Mota to fetch him a lucrative contract.

�Azhar bhai, I am interested in a contract worth 100,000 pounds because only then I would be in a position to give you 10,000 (as commission) if the deal is successful,� Asif was quoted as saying.

The eye-witness, who had come to see the matches from the United States and was at the hotel to meet the players that day, also claimed that he saw Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder, sitting in Mohammad Yousuf�s room where Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were busy playing cards.

He saw Azhar passing on two small boxes, used for storing naswar, to the players.

According to the eye-witness, Afridi took one box which had naswar inside it while the other box containing the cannabis � a dried preparation or resinous extract made from a plant used generally illegally as a psychotropic drug � was passed on to Asif.

The Southampton incident surprisingly went unreported, unlike the infamous Grenada episode on the 1992-93 tour of the West Indies when Wasim Akram, Waqar, Mushtaq Ahmed and Aaqib Javed were detained before being released on bail since they had marijuana in their possession.

Shoaib sought help from local medicine man......who inadvertently provided him with anabolic steroids

Well - How ridiculous is this news item at Dawn.com!

Cricket-Shoaib's herbal medicine could be to blame, doctor says LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar, sent home from the Champions Trophy after failing a drugs test, could have taken nandrolone inadvertently while being treated with herbal medicine, his doctor said. "After undergoing surgery in Australia earlier and subsequent treatment for the stress fracture, Shoaib has been seeing a hakim in Pakistan. It is a possibility that nandrolone drug was mixed in herbal medicines that he has been taking. "He has been tested during the ICC events and 2003 World Cup but he has never tested positive," doctor Tauseef Razzaq said. On Tuesday, Shoaib met PCB director of operations Saleem Altaf but both men declined to give details of their meeting. "I met Shoaib this morning and we had a detailed discussion. Asif is due to meet me later in the afternoon. Everything is under control," Altaf told the Press Trust of India. Altaf said the board was in the process of organising a tribunal to hear both players and recommend disciplinary action. "It should be finalised later today because we want to have the hearing as soon as possible," he said.