Shoaib's lifestyle warranted harsh ban, says Alam

PTI, Islamabad, November 4, 2006

Former Test captain Intikhab Alam, who was a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board's Drug Tribunal, has justified the harsh two-year ban on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, saying his fast lifestyle warranted such a punishment.

"If people read our statement they will understand. He drinks alcohol, has an active sex life and has been part of anti-doping awareness programmes," Alam said.

"He has been around for the last 10 years and the written statement that his spokesman gave about him taking dietary supplements and not consulting a doctor, shows he was negligent," he was quoted as saying in the media.

The 64-year-old former batsman said the three-member tribunal, headed by barrister Shahid Hamid, had no doubts about their decision announced on Wednesday.

"We did not have any doubts in our minds about what we have announced. The players were not able to convince us of their innocence. It was absolutely crystal clear," he said.

Shoaib has been banned for two years while young fast bowler Mohammad Asif for one for testing positive for banned steroid nandrolone in a dope test conducted by the PCB before the ongoing Champions Trophy.

Alam said "the players admitted themselves that they had been taking dietary supplements. They are both adults and players have to be responsible for their own actions. Somtimes you have to take these decisions. We have done a good job," he said.