Shahzad charged for failing dope test

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued “Notice of Charge” to opener Ahmad Shahzad for using banned substance during competition following confirmation that his back up sample also turned positive.

The player now faces a ban from all types of cricket from three months to two years, depending on his reaction to charges.

Ahmad Shahzad was found guilty of using recreational substance (Chars) during the domestic cricket and to make the procedure safer, the authorities had a second review of tests and had found him guilty of using the banned drug during the competition.

“We have received a detailed report on Ahmad Shahzad back up test which confirms that the early tests conducted on him were according to procedural requirements. It has been established now that the opening batsman has used banned substance beyond the limits,” a PCB official when contacted said.

Ahmad Shahzad dope test had a detailed review and had taken almost three weeks after the first positive test.The PCB has now sent the ball into Ahmad Shahzad court and has given the option either to accept the charge or to contest it. “The Test opening batsman has two options now-either to accept the charge or to contest it.”

In case of Ahmad Shahzad wants to contest charges, he would opt for sample B tests. “The sample B of the test is very much available with the laboratory. In case Ahmad Shahzad wants to contest charges he would ask for a second review. In that scenario he would also be exposing himself to much tougher punishment or ban,” the official said.

The PCB official also made it clear that in case Ahmad Shahzad accepts these charges his punishment would be much lighter. “In that case he could be banned from three months to one year. His acceptance means he could well be back in action near the end of 2018.”

The PCB official said that now when charges have been framed, the player has the option for B sample. “The B sample of the blood tests is very much with the concerned authorities. The player is now free to move to either direction. For the PCB, the foremost issue was to review procedural and technical matters before charging him of any offence. That has been done.”

Under the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) laws, using any banned or recreational substance is banned during the competition.A few years back, leading left arm spinner Raza Hasan was banned for two years for using the same banned substance ‘chars’ during the domestic competitions.