ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has praised Pakistan for drug-testing its own players after pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were sent home following positive drug tests.
The Pakistan Cricket Board took the drug tests at their own initiative, with both players testing positive for the drug Nandrolone.
Speed was full of praise for the PCB, indicating that the ICC will continue with their zero tolerance policy on drugs in cricket.
"Cricket takes its place alongside many other sports where we say in relation to doping and illegal substances we take a zero tolerance position. We will continue to take this position," Speed said.
"These tests were done at the initiative of the PCB as part of its measures to ensure there are no illegal doping practices in Pakistan cricket."
"The PCB deserves credit for doing these tests on its own initiative. It was not required to do this and could have sent its players to the ICC Champions Trophy and taken its chances as to whether they tested positive or not."
Speed went on to indicate that the ICC's stance on drugs has not altered at all in light of the Pakistan pair being sent home, but declined to comment further until more tests were done.
"If it is found these players have breached the code it is a disappointing day in cricket but other sports have faced the similar problem. But I think we need to know the full story before we make a further comment."
Meanwhile, Yasir Arafat and Abdul Rehman have been confirmed as the two replacement players for Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
All-rounder Arafat and left-arm spinner Rehman, are expected to join up with the remainder of the Pakistan squad in the next few days.
