Pakistanis to appeal

Banned Pakistan pair Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are both set to appeal their respective suspensions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board banned Shoaib for two years and Asif for one at a tribunal hearing after both players tested positive to the banned steroid nandrolone.

Dr Tauseef Razzaq, who represented the pair at Wednesday's hearing, said an appeal would be lodged by the weekend, and that he would be calling upon overseas medical experts to prove their innocence.

Razzaq added that both players were shattered about their respective bans, in particular Shoaib, who will not be able to return to the game until he is 33.

Shoaib has taken 165 wickets in 42 Tests while Asif claimed 30 in six Tests.

Razzaq told BBC Sport, "Shoaib has not cheated.

"He would never cheat and let his country or himself down. We're going to go all the way."

Razzaq said a panel of experts would prove the duo did not deliberately break rules.

"They will beyond doubt show how you can test positive for nandralone withouth taking it.

"Shoaib is very confident that, given a fair trial with the evidence we are going to be presenting, he will be acquitted," he said.


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