PCB anti-doping appeal tribunal postpones hearing
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Pakistan Cricket Board’s anti-doping appeal tribunal has postponed its hearing till November 20 on the request of banned bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s counsel for giving more time to him to seek documents from PCB.
Chairman of the tribunal told newsmen here on Wednesday at Gadaffi stadium that Shoaib’s lawyer Abid Minto at the outset pointed out that his client had received notice of today’s hearing only yesterday and further that he had sought from PCB certain documents which according to him are necessary for his client’s defence and expressed his inability to proceed with the matter.
PCB has constituted a three-member tribunal to hear the appeals of Shoaib banned for two year and Muhammad Asif for one year for using stamina enhancing drugs.
The dope test conducted by PCB before the ICC Champions Trophy played in India last month (October) forced the PCB to suspend both the players and withdraw them from the event.
The tribunal comprises of former chief justice of Sindh High Court, Mr justice ,Fakhruddin G Ebrahim and former test cricketer Hasib Ahsan and Dr Nasih Zaheer, Vice President, Asian Sports Medicine Federation are its members.
While Shoaib is being represented by Abid Minto, and Aftab Gul is the counsel of Asif while PCB has hired the services of Mark Gay to provide guide line.
“In the above circumstances no further progress could be made. The Tribunals impressed upon the parties that the appeals be expeditiously disposed off. At the request of the parties the tribunal fixed the next of hearing for November 20 at 11.00 a.m. at Gadaffi stadium. The parties have been informed that the case will continue day-to-day until
conclusion”, said Justice retd Fakhruddin.
Mr Minto, however, agreed as suggested by the Chairman that some progress may be made today by hearing preliminary submission on behalf of PCB by Mark Gay. Accordingly, the tribunal heard him who made it clear that in so far as PCB is
concerned its limited interest is earliest disposal of these appeals strictly in accordance with law. He (Gay) went on to make his preliminary submissions and concluded that he will be submitting these submissions in greater detail in writing with supporting documents as early as possible.
Answering a question,the Chairman of the Tribunal said PCB has hired thes services of Mr Gay to get guide line in the case.
“We want to conclude this case as soon as possible and we will be taking the decision on merit”, he said. “It is a very important matter as it involves career of both the star players of the Pakistan team” said Justice retired Fakruddin Ibrahim while talking to reporters on Wednesday.
He was of the view that all the decisions would be taken in par with the law as nothing is above the law. Replying to a question, he said Tribunal has been set up to take impartial decision and will stick to the final verdict. It is pertinent to mention that Shoassib Akhtar, banned for two years for having tested positive for Nandrolone, has filed an appeal against the ban.
The punishments came after internally conducted dope tests revealed that the A samples of both men showed excessive limits of the banned anabolic steroid, Nandrolone.