Pakistan bodybuilders banned after failing dope tests

Three Pakistani bodybuilders have been banned for two years after failing dope tests conducted before last year's Asian Games in Doha.

The Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation announced that Shoaib Zahoor, Khalid Ali and Atif Anwar are banned as per the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency for two years each.

"They failed the dope tests prior to the Asian Games and we had to follow rules. We have a strict anti-doping policy and will not make any relaxations," PBF official said.

Pakistan last year also banned two boxers, Mehrullah Lassi and Faisal Karim after they also tested positive for using cannabis before the Asian Games.

Pakistan cricket is also reeling under a doping controversy with the 15-member team finalised for the World Cup due to appear in dope tests on Friday in Lahore.

Fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were banned for two and one year last November after failing a dope test conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board but were reinstated by an appellate panel of the board in December.

The official, Chaudhary Yaqoob, said the three disgraced bodybuilders had been withdrawn from the Asian Games after they tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.

He said they would not be allowed to participate in any international or local tournament for two years.