Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asifs doping case hearing adjourned

The drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has adjourned the hearing in the doping case of Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif till November 11.

Mumbai, Oct 12 : The drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has adjourned the hearing in the doping case of Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif till November 11.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, former Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Ravi Bapat and Shirish Gupte, a leading lawyer, were present at the preliminary hearing along with Asif and his lawyer Shahid Karim here on Saturday.

"We heard the matter at the interim stage. There were some interim objections by the advocate of Asif. We are going to deal with it. It's presently adjourned. The recording of evidence of witnesses will start after four weeks, and after they exchange their written statement and list of witnesses. I have reserved the order, which in three or four days, I'll pass the order," said Shirish Gupte, a tribunal member and lawyer.

Asif's lawyer Shaid Karim said he would file a reply as soon as possible.

Asif tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during a domestic Twenty20 competition in India. He was immediately suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) when the positive test was announced in July. He denied taking any banned substances.

His 'B' sample also tested positive. He plays for the Delhi Daredevil team of the IPL.

Asif, who was detained in Dubai for 19 days in June after airport authorities found a small quantity of an illegal drug on him, had tested positive for nandrolone in 2006.

He was banned by the PCB for two years then later cleared by the board's anti-doping appeals committee.

ANI