Shoaib, Asif test positive again?

Karachi, Feb 13 (UNI) Speculation is rife that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has secretly tested dope-tainted pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif only to find both of them still carrying traces of banned Nandrolone.

According to a report in 'The News', the PCB carried out secret dope tests of the two players, who had earned a reprieve from a board's committee for testing positive last year.

The latest results, according to the sources, have again showed the presence of performance enhancing drug from samples collected from the pacer duo.

A second dope offence would not only make them sit out in the World Cup, it could effectively spell the end of the cricketing careers for both the tainted cricketers.

Shoaib's World Cup participation is already in doubt following a knee injury as Pakistan is expected to announce its 15-man squad for the mega event today.

Meanwhile, there has been no official confirmation of the dope tests.

The PCB has announced that it would carry out dope tests of all the 15 players selected to represent the country in the West Indies.

According to PCB's Director Operations Saleem Altaf, the tests would be carried out on February 16. The reason behind another round of internal dope tests by the PCB is to avoid any unpleasant surprises during the World Cup.

UNI