November 14, 2006	Tuesday	Shawwal 21, 1427

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KARACHI, Nov 13: Intense scrutiny by the World Anti-Doping Agency might thwart any attempt to reduce the ban on Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, Pakistan Cricket Board sources said on Sunday.

The PCB sources said that WADA was keeping a close watch on the cases of Akhtar and Asif who were banned for two and one years respectively for testing positive for banned steroid nandrolone in internal tests conducted in September.

"There is definite pressure on us in the sense that the WADA officials are keeping abreast of everything that is happening and what we have done so far," PCB sources said.

"I don't think they are any chances of the bans being completely removed. They might be reduced but again we are being monitored by WADA."

Meanwhile, a top PCB official said that the Board wanted a quick verdict on the appeals of the two fast bowlers.

"We would like to see the commission (set up to hear the appeals) complete its proceedings as soon as possible," PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters at a news conference.

He refused to react to allegations by Akhtar that the drugs inquiry tribunal that handed out the ban had misled him.

"I don't want to say anything on this. All I can say is we provided both players with every opportunity to give their side of the story and submit all evidence. They were also allowed to bring their legal advisors and doctors," Ashraf said.

"We have also put the appeals process in place so that they can get a fair hearing to their cases," he said. Headed by retired justice Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, the commission is to hold its first hearing on November 14 in Lahore.—Agencies