PCB distances itself from Asif’s redemption battle

With the Pakistan Cricket Board realising the futility and possible consequences of assisting Mohammad Asif...

With the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) realising the futility and possible consequences of assisting Mohammad Asif, the disgraced pacer might find himself all alone in his quest to clear his name from yet another doping scandal. Sources in the board said the scenario for Asif was not very bright after he was named as the player who had tested positive during the recent Indian Premier League.

“The truth is that privately some officials in the board believe that it might be the end of the road for Asif as there are slim chances of his ‘B’ sample test coming negative,” one source said.

“The information about the case and the preliminary test passed on to the board by the IPL people is not very good for Asif,” the source added.

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The bowler has said he would be asking for his ‘B’ sample to be tested as well as he believes there has been some mistake in the first test that came positive.

Asif, who had tested positive for a banned substance in 2006 and spent 19 days in detention in Dubai last month for alleged possession of a contraband item, has pleaded his innocence and said he would fight his case with or without support from the board.

But the source didn’t see Asif getting any support from the board in fighting his case.

“The board is also aware that its reputation is taking a beating for offering support and legal help to players behaving irresponsibly and indulging in acts of indiscipline.

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“When the board helped Asif and got him out of his detention in Dubai some senators and members of parliament had criticised the board for involving itself in an episode that was embarrassing for Pakistan cricket.

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