Cricket---Asif banned for two years,lambasted by former stars

Former Pakistan players have criticised Md Asif after he failed a drug test and called for strict action to be taken against him.

Asif tested positive for an unspecified banned substance following the Delhi Daredevils' Indian Premier League semi-final defeat to Rajasthan Royals in May, his second doping offence in two years and third involvement with drugs.

The 25-year-old tested positive for nandrolone in 2006 during an out-of-competition test conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

He was initially banned for two years but that sentence was overturned on appeal, leaving him free to return to international cricket.

Last month, Asif was detained at Dubai International Airport for nearly three weeks on suspicion of carrying drugs. The charges were later dropped and he was deported.

Legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas insisted while the bowler seemed intent on throwing away his career, the PCB was equally to blame for the mess.

"I blame both Asif and the PCB," the former Pakistan captain told the News.

"Asif is a hugely talented player but seems so ignorant that he kept an illegal drug in his pocket," he added, referring to Asif's detention in Dubai.

"The PCB should have properly educated Asif and it seems that he is a good talent that is being wasted.

"Asif himself is not serious about the game. I see a dark future for him."

Another former skipper, Rameez Raja, echoed Abbas' comments.

"It is a very unfortunate situation and Pakistan cricket is in the headlines for the wrong reasons," he said.

"Asif should not have been that careless and the PCB should have nipped the evil in the bud when it happened in 2006."

Former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz went as far as to say the PCB should be disbanded.

"The PCB is equally to blame. The government must dismiss the current PCB set-up," he said.

"Asif is a very talented bowler but that doesn't mean he has the license to do whatever he wants.

"The PCB knew that Asif had tested positive earlier, so they should have counselled him properly."

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