AMagazine KARACHI: The hearing of dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif has been delayed following the Mumbai rampage that left at least 101 people dead.Mohammed Asif was scheduled to leave for India today to appear before the Indian Premier League Drug Inquiry Tribunal on November 29.
Asif had failed a dope test conducted during the inaugural IPL in which he played for Delhi Daredevils.
His 'B' sample, tested in Switzerland, also came positive but the traces of the banned substance differed in the two tests leading to Asif challenging the validity of the process adopted to conduct the tests in the IPL.
If the tribunal finds Asif guilty he could face a minimum two-year ban and more action from his home board. He is presently suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board for flunking the dope test.
Asif, who will later on be accompanied by his lawyer Shahid Karim, said he was confident of being cleared by the tribunal.
"I am confident, my lawyer is confident that we have a strong case. I have always maintained I have never knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs," Asif said.
British sports medicine specialist, Dr Graham was also to assist Asif in the hearing.
"Basically both the parties will submit their evidences to strengthen their arguments based on which the drugs inquiry tribunal has to reach a decision. But I am not sure whether a decision will come after this hearing," Karim said.
The tribunal was also expected to decide on the application by Asif challenging its jurisdiction to hear the doping case.
Asif has filed an application to the PCB requesting to review the ban imposed on him and also to help him in his case. The board has so far refused to get involved in the doping case besides refusing to lift the ban.
