Shoaib, Asif appeal against ban

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Dr Naseem Ashraf on Saturday disclosed that the pace bowling duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have appealed against their doping ban.

"Yes they have appealed," he said, when asked about it.

Shoaib was banned for two years, while Asif got a one-year ban after testing positive for nandrolone during tests conducted by the PCB before the team left for the ICC Champions Trophy last month.

"They are maintaining their innocence and they have full right to appeal against the tribunal's decision. They have already filed their appeal," Ashraf said.

"We accept the punishment given by the commission. The punishment is according to ICC and WADA guidelines and PCB follows those guidelines. The players have to prove it now and if they go to a higher court, they will have to explain," he added.

He also praised the ICC Board's decision to lift Atta-ur-Rehman's life ban and allow him to play County and domestic cricket.

Rehman was banned for life in 2000 by the Pakistan Cricket Board for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal.

"It shows the maturity that prevails in the ICC, because Ata was banned in 2000 from international cricket. A new rule was introduced in 2002 that a player who has been banned from international cricket will also be banned in domestic cricket," he said.