A Pakistan Cricket Board-appointed drug tribunal formally charge sheeted bowlers Shoaib Akhtar [Images] and Mohammad Asif [Images] after conducting its first hearing in Lahore [Images].

"Both the fast bowlers who tested positive of using performance-enhancing drugs were charged with violation of the Board's laid down policies against the use of drugs," The News quoted a PCB official as saying.

Noted lawyer Shahid Hamid, another member of the committee and former Pakistan captain and coach Intikhab Alam heard the players separately before handing over the charge sheets.

"Both narrated their side of stories separately. They were given the charge sheet and have been asked to submit in writing their report in the next meeting," the official said.

However, the head of the inquiry committee, Dr Waqar Ahmad, could not attend Sunday's meeting due to cancellation of his flight from Islamabad. Hamid chaired the meeting in his absence, the report said.

Hamid declined to give any timeframe for completing the inquiry.

"We will give a fair chance to both the players and then submit our report to the PCB," he said.

The next hearing has been scheduled after the Eid holidays, on October 26.

During the hearing, the two players reportedly pleaded their innocence and requested the PCB to get their B samples tested.

Shoaib and Asif were asked to return from India, where the team is currently playing in the Champions Trophy, after it was revealed that they had tested positive for nandrolone, a banned steroid.