Pakistan suspend Asif after positive dope test

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan have suspended pace bowler Mohammad Asif from all cricket after he failed a dope test in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL), the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday.

"The ban will remain until his appeal... is decided or the anti-doping committee of the IPL and ICC (International Cricket Council) reach a final verdict on his case," the PCB said.

The board said Asif was banned from participating in cricket including its organisation, administration and promotion by or under the auspices of the PCB, the ICC or its member countries.

Senior board official, Shafqat Naghmi said Pakistan had a strict zero tolerance policy towards doping and would assist the ICC, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the IPL in enforcing the anti-doping regulations in the Asif case.

"We will be closely monitoring the case and will offer every reasonable assistance to the ICC and other ICC members as they may require for the implementation and enforcement of their anti-doping regulations," Naghmi said.

"We will also be closely associated with the proceedings of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)/IPL drugs tribunal as the PCB is entitled to attend the proceedings... as it has a legitimate interest in the outcome of the hearing."

ASIF OMITTED

Asif was on Tuesday omitted from Pakistan's Champions Trophy preliminary squad for the tournament being hosted by the country in September after the selectors had initially included him on the 30-member list last week before delaying its release.