PCB decides not to punish Asif

Karachi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board has
decided not to take any disciplinary action against troubled
pacer Mohammad Asif, even if he is penalised by the drugs
inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for his
alleged doping offence in the inaugural edition of the
Twenty20 tournament.

"It is like double jeopardy. You can't punish a man twice
for the same crime. If the IPL tribunal does not clear him
from the doping offence obviously he is going to face a long
ban and the PCB does not come into the picture," a senior
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told PTI.

He also made it clear that the Board had rejected Asif's
plea for the release of his central contract payments this
year.

"We have looked into his request and got legal opinion.
The fact is that presently he remains suspended from all forms
of cricket and until the IPL tribunal reaches a decision we
can't do anything for him," he said.

Asif was due to appear before the Indian Premier League
tribunal on November 29 and 30, but the hearing was called off
because of the terror attacks in Mumbai and the inquiry
tribunal is yet to convey fresh dates to the pacer.

Asif, playing for Delhi Daredevils, had tested positive
for a banned substance during the semi finals of the IPL
earlier this year.

His 'B' sample also came positive but the traces of
substance varied in both the tests, leading his lawyer to
challenge the procedure of the tests adopted by the IPL.

Later, Asif was also detained in Dubai for 19-days in
June for carrying a banned substance in small quantity while
returning home after featuring in the IPL.

However, he was later released without any charges.

Former PCB Chief Operating Officer, Shafqat Naghmi, the
head of the inquiry tribunal formed to probe Asif's Dubai
saga, has claimed that the pacer was caught with opium at the
airport which led to his detention.

However, the newly-appointed Chief Operating Officer,
Saleem Altaf made it clear that the PCB did not have any
record or report confirming Asif was carrying opium with him.

"But we might decide to have a fresh inquiry into the
matter if Asif is cleared by the IPL," he said.

He added that the PCB could also view Asif's case on
compassionate grounds but thats depends upon on IPL drugs
tribunal's finding.