KARACHI, Nov 28: A member of the original drugs inquiry tribunal expressed surprise at the demand of banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's lawyer for declaring the first hearing a null and void, saying the paceman was twice advised to make necessary changes if he desired.
Shoaib's lawyer Abid Hasan Manto has objected to the damaging observations made on the bowler's lifestyle by the original three-man drug tribunal in their final report after banning the bowler for two years.
The member said tribunal chairman, Barrister Shahid Hamid had twice advised Shoaib and his lawyer Noman Niaz during the hearing to go through the statement submitted by the pacer and make necessary changes if they desired.
"Hamid himself was surprised that in his statement to the tribunal, Shoaib had talked about his western lifestyle, sex life and other activities," the member said.
"But Shoaib and Niaz came back twice with the same statement and the tribunal had no alternative but to accept it and when the findings were released Shoaib's statement formed an integral part of the explanation of why the tribunal didn't accept his argument and that he had taken the banned substance inadvertently."—Agencies
