A Pakistan Cricket Board drugs tribunal banned Shoaib Akhtar [Images] for two years and fellow-fast bowler Mohammad Asif [Images] for one year on Wednesday after finding them guilty of doping offences.

A statement issued by the tribunal said both players had been informed of the decision and have the right to appeal.

The bans, effective October 15, rule both out of next year's World Cup.

The players had tested positive for anabolic steroid nandrolone just ahead of their opening Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka [Images].

The three-member tribunal included barrister Shahid Hamid, former captain Intikhab Alam and medical expert Waqar Ahmed.

The tribunal met coach Bob Woolmer [Images], physiotherapist Darren Lifsun and trainer Murray Stevenson on Wednesday to hear their version of the story before arriving at the decision.

In Friday's hearing, both the players accepted the dope results and decided not to challenge the result of their positive test for Nandrolone, carried out in a World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory in Kuala Lumpur.

Sports medicine experts Dr Javed Akram and Dr Syed Abass Raza also attended the hearing to assist the tribunal.