Shoaib Akhtar on ICC’s Anti-doping Policy Radar

Lahore: Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has once again come under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-doping scanner ahead of the forthcoming one-day international series against Australia in the UAE. Sources said Akhtar’s mysterious and sudden increase in fitness levels just weeks after suffering a major knee injury could attract the ICC’s attention.
The ICC has made an International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) which includes top players from the eight leading ODI teams in the world.
The Daily Times reported that a team of ICC experts had already briefed Pakistani players, staff and other officials about the new ICC Anti-Doping Code (2009).
Akhtar, 33, has a history of doping scandals against his name. He tested positive for a banned substance- nandrolone during the Champions Trophy in India in 2006 following which he was handed out a two-year suspension the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In September 2007, Shoaib was banned by the PCB for an indefinite period for an alleged brawl with team-mate Mohammad Asif.