Pakistan 'drugs' duo grounded
Controversial Pakistan pace duo Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar were yesterday pulled out of the World Cup by their Board just minutes before the team left for the Caribbean.
The official reasons were an elbow injury and knee problem respectively, but the withdrawals were clouded in a fug of suspicion over their recent drugs tests.
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The pair tested positive for nandrolone last year, only to have their bans overturned on a technicality, much to the disgust of the wider cricket world.
There were fears that traces of the drug might still be found in their systems and prior to the squad leaving they avoided another test.
The pullouts coincide with strong statements from the International Cricket Council about doping and threats that random testing will be stepped up in this year's competition.
Their absence severely weakens arguably the tournament's most talented team, despite decent replacements in Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat.
