PCB not to contest IPL's decision on Asif

KARACHI: Pakistan will not dispute whatever decision Indian Premier League (IPL) takes on disgraced fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who failed a dope test during the inaugural IPL season.

A top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said on Thursday that the Board will respect any decision taken by the IPL's disciplinary committee over Asif's doping episode.

"Asif tested positive while playing in the IPL and the league has full authority to take action against him. If he (Asif) is banned by the IPL for doping, then we will not contest that decision," said Shafqat Naghmi, PCB's chief operating officer.

Naghmi also clarified that he has no authority to take action against Asif over his misadventure in Dubai where he was detained for 19 days after he was caught by airport authorities there carrying a banned substance.

He said that only the PCB chairman can take action against Asif as per constitution of the Board.

The PCB is without a chairman as its previous chief Nasim Ashraf resigned earlier this month.

Naghmi said that the new PCB chairman will decide Asif's fate after considering the recommendations made by the fact-finding committee appointed by the Board. Naghmi headed that committee. It has been speculated in the media that in its report, the committee has recommended disciplinary action against the dope-tainted Asif.