{image-mohammad asif_14072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Jul 14: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif tested positive for a banned substance during the Indian Premier League (IPL), organisers said on Monday, July 14.

"The Indian Premier League compared the result from the WADA-approved laboratory in Swissland with the data collected by IDTM, the Stockholm-based independent agency which organised the anti-doping testing in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, to confirm the player in violation is Mohammad Asif," the IPL said in a statement issued on Monday.

However Asif have the right to request that his 'B' sample be sent for analysis. If the 'B' sample also tests positive, then the matter will be taken up by the IPL's drugs tribunal headed by Sunny Gavaskar for further action.

Earlier Asif brushing aside speculation of being the IPL's first dope offender, said he was shocked to see his name being dragged into the controversy with no official confirmation.


''I have no clue about the dope test report and I have not been informed about anything in this regards,'' Asif told Times Now.

Ball in BCCI'S court, says ICC: International Cricket Council (ICC) has put the onus of taking action against the drug offender on Indian board.

"The ICC is aware of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) from the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 league," sport's world governing body said in a statement issued here on Monday.

"As with any AAF that arises during a testing programme organised by one of the ICC's Members, it is the responsibility of that Member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process in a timely and fair manner," the ICC statement read.

The ICC said it would keep a close eye on the way BCCI handles the matter to ensure that the guilty player is brought to book.

"The ICC is proud of its status as a WADA signatory and will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI. The ICC retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA Code."

PCB vows to take stern action: Meanwhile Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier in the day made it clear that it would show no mercy to any Pakistani player if found guilty of failing a dope test during the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I can assure you that if it turns out to be a Pakistani player, we will take all possible actions listed in our anti-doping policy and the player will not be shown any leniency," the Chief Operating Officer of PCB, Shafqat Naghmi, said here.

Naghmi's statement came a day after the IPL and ICC officials confirmed that a player has failed a dope test conducted during the highly successful first season of the league.

Asif, who was detained in Dubai for 19 days on charges of possession of contraband drugs, once again found himself under the hammer.

While returning home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) he was intercepted at the Dubai airport, after his stint with the Delhi Daredevils.

In 2006, Asif, along with temperamental speedster Shoaib Akhtar, had tested positive for nandrolone even though the duo escaped a ban.

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