PCB delays decision

Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who have been accused of using performance enhancing drugs, will know whether they have been banned from cricket early next week.

According to the BBC, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was due to announce the fate of the two stars on Saturday but has extended the deadline by several days in order to obtain statements from coach Bob Woolmer and two members of his staff.

Shoaib and Asif were sent home from the Champions Trophy in India before a single ball had been bowled following their positive tests for a banned steroid.

The pair has since accepted the results which revealed traces of nandrolene and opted not to have tests carried out on their subsequent "B" samples.

If the PCB finds its stars guilty, the duo look set for two-year bans, which is the minimum for a first offence under International Cricket Council doping rules.

Such a punishment would be devastating for Pakistan's World Cup aspirations with the tournament beginning in March next year.

Due to the tests being conducted internally by the PCB, any decision regarding the fate of the athletes will be made by the country's cricketing body and not the ICC.

Both bowlers have undergone steady questioning and have given formal statements.

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