Shoaib and Asif decline retest on B sample

Pakistan's fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not challenge the results of a doping test that forced them out of the ongoing Champions Trophy, Shahid Hamid, a member of the tribunal hearing their case, said.

"We offered both the players to have retests on B samples which they declined, which implies that they are not questioning their failed dope tests," Hamid said.

"They had explained their point of view and we are now going to take medical opinion to examine the situation," Hamid added.

The tribunal, chaired by barrister Shahid Hamid includes Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistan captain, and Waqar Ahmed, a doping expert. The tribunal is hearing the case after the pair tested positive for the performance enhancing banned steroid nandrolone.

Today, the tribunal also recorded statements from PCB's chief medical officer Sohauil Saleem. The tribunal, which meets again Saturday, will make recommendations to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and is expected to submit its findings in two weeks. Two doping experts have been summoned for Saturday's hearing.

When asked whether the players have admitted taking banned drugs, Hamid refused to comment.

Earlier in the day, Shoaib and Asif had recorded their statements before the tribunal. "During the second hearing Akhtar and Asif recorded their statements. Asif came alone and was questioned for over an hour while Akhtar was accompanied by Nauman Niaz, his doctor, and stayed for the same duration," a PCB spokesman said.

Shoaib, who returned to cricket only last month after missing Pakistan's Test series in England with an ankle injury, said he never cheated in cricket. "I have not knowingly taken any performance enhancing drugs and would never cheat my team-mates or opponents in this way," Shoaib said. Both Shoaib and Asif face a two-year ban, the minimum for a first offence under the ICC's doping rules. However, the PCB said it will take its own decision since the tests were conducted internally.