Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has once again found himself at the centre of controversy, having been named as the player who tested positive for a banned substance during the Indian Premier League.
Asif is not guilty of anything at this point, but one at least has to begin to question his innocence as these alleged drug controversies seem to stick to him like a cheap suit. In 2006 he was suspended for two years by the Pakistani Cricket Board, along with teammate Shoaib Akhtar, for testing positive for Nandrolone.
The ban was, however, later overturned after an appeal that said that Asif was unknowingly taking a protein supplement. Granted, you need to give the man the benefit of the doubt, but then last month Asif was detained at Dubai International Airport on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs.
An unknown substance was found in his wallet and he was withdrawn from the Pakistan squad for the Tri-Series tournament with India and Bangladesh.
The charges were later dropped by the Dubai public prosecutor due to “insignificance”. Mohammad Al Nuaimi, the public prosecutor who handled Asif’s case, told Gulf News: “It is definite that he committed the crime as he was caught red-handed … however in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the public prosecution drops a case due to insignificance and deports the suspect.”
So going by that logic, a player can be found guilty of carrying or taking drugs, but then be let off because it is either (a) an insignificant crime; or (b) the player can take drugs, but claim he did not know he took them.
At this point the ICC, the World Anti-Doping Agency or the Court of Arbitration for Sport needs to intervene in this guy’s issues. Asif has been busted for a third time now, and I’m afraid this is not the Tour de France where drug scandals are a dime a dozen. Asif needs to switch sporting codes to the likes of cycling or the WWE — where he’d fit in much better — or start playing cricket like the rest of the world do: drug free, that is.
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