Ahmed served notice for failing dope test

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a notice of charge to opener Ahmed Shehzad for using banned substance during a domestic competition following confirmation that his backup sample also turned positive.

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

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

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

Ahmed dope test had a detailed review and had taken almost three weeks after the first positive result.The PCB has now sent the ball into Ahmed’s 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 if Ahmed wants to contest the charges, he would opt for sample B test.“The sample B of the test is very much available with the laboratory. In case he 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 Ahmed accepts the 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 be back to action near the end of 2018.”

The PCB official added that now when the charges have been framed, the player

has the option to go for sample B.“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.” A few years back, leading left-arm spinner Raza Hasan was banned for two years for using the same banned substance during the domestic competitions.