October 18, 2006	Wednesday	Ramazan 24, 1427

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LAHORE, Oct 17: Former greats said on Tuesday the doping scandal involving Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif was a huge blow to Pakistan and urged cricket chiefs here to lift their game.

“There should be a proper investigation to prove the authenticity of the case, but, either way, this is most damaging and can potentially blow up Pakistan's chances in coming events like the World Cup 2007,” legendary all-rounder Imran Khan told AFP.

The tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were mistimed and the results should have come before the naming of the squad for the Champions Trophy tournament in India, added Imran, now a member of Pakistan's parliament.

“The results of the tests should have been there before the announcement of the team for India and instead it has come on the eve of Pakistan's first match, which is going to hurt the team,” said the former captain.

Pakistan open their Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka in Jaipur on Tuesday, a day after Shoaib and Asif were sent home following their positive tests for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone.

Imran said Shoaib and Asif were two of Pakistan's biggest assets and must be given a full chance to prove their innocence.

“It has to be clarified whether Shoaib and Asif took the substances inadvertently or they knew about them,” said Khan, who denied knowing any fast bowler using performance enhancing drugs in his day.

Imran’s former team-mate Javed Miandad said he was stunned by the drugs scandal.

“I am shocked to hear about this, this is a huge blow to Pakistan cricket,” said master batsman Miandad, who played in 124 Tests, a record for Pakistan.

Miandad blamed a lack of discipline for the doping row. “I have been saying that all the ills of Pakistan cricket are due to lack of discipline and this shows we have not recovered from the first-ever forfeit Test jolt, the ball-tampering allegations and the captaincy row,” said Miandad.

Miandad said Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and the team's doctors should also be investigated. “Woolmer has a battery of assistants, there are so many doctors in the PCB panel, they should also be investigated because players don't know what medicines they are taking,” said Miandad.

Another former player, Sarfraz Nawaz agreed with Miandad. “These tests were initiated by the previous board led by Shaharyar Khan, so he and all other officials should also be taken to task,” said Sarfraz, who played 55 Tests for Pakistan.

“If Australia can ban Shane Warne then nobody is above the game and its rules, but both Asif and Shoaib should be given a full chance to clarify their position,” said Sarfraz.

Australia's legendary leg-spinner Warne was banned for one year for using a diuretic during the World Cup in South Africa in 2003.—AFP