Mohammad Asif called up for dope test

International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday called up Pakistan fast-bowler for a surprise dope test on the first day of his training with the team.

Asif completed a 12-month ban for a doping offence on Wednesday. He had joined the team on Sunday and returned to the national side after a gap of nearly 17 months because of disciplinary and dope issues.

‘Asif has been taken for a dope test by the ICC and it is nothing out of the ordinary but in keeping with the governing body’s doping procedures at all such tournaments,’ said an official spokesman.

Although Asif’s ban officially ended up Tuesday, the International Cricket Council allowed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include the fast bowler in the squad last month, although he was not permitted to train with his teammates in training camps in Lahore and Karachi earlier this month.

Asif was suspended from international cricket last year after he tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone while competing for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

He was also detained at Dubai airport for 19 days when a small amount of opium was found in his wallet, an offence for which he was fined one million rupees (C$14,775) by the PCB.

Earlier, Asif was also sent home from the 2006 Champions Trophy after testing positive for nandrolone in internal tests carried out by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

He initially earned a one-year ban from the PCB for that offence, but it was overturned on appeal.