Dhaka: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, seamer Umer Gul and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal were some of the first players to be taken for random dope testing ahead of the World Cup.
Akhtar, Gul and Akmal were tested after a practice session on Wednesday by the International Cricket Council’s drug inspectors.
“It’s normal to test players before and during a tournament,” he said. “Nothing fishy about it. Others will also be tested.”
Akhtar, recalled for the World Cup after being out of action for a major part of the last three years due to a spate of injuries, tested positive for a banned drug nandrolone in 2006. Pakistan face England in a practice match in the Bangladeshi town of Fatullah on Friday, a game the ageing Akhtar needs to perform in to make the team for their World Cup opener against Kenya on February 23.
Akhtar did not bowl against Bangladesh on Tuesday with coach Waqar Younis admitting the fast bowler had yet to regain full fitness. Akhtar, who last played a Test match in 2007, has claimed 244 one-day wickets in 160 matches at an average of 24.78. He was picked for the recent tour of New Zealand where he “improved in patches,” according to Waqar. “Shoaib is not in touch at the moment,” the fast bowling great said. “It is important he gets into full throttle before we get him into the side.”
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription