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| December 09, 2006 | Saturday | Ziqa'ad 17, 1427 |
Woolmer defends pace duo’s comeback
LAHORE, Dec 8: Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif trained with the national team here on Friday after being cleared of a doping ban this week by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appeals tribunal.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer did not see the pair returning to action in the ongoing One-day International (ODI) series against the West Indies but defended their return and said it was good for the team. “Of course, their return is good for the team and I hope everything goes well for them. Still, I don't see them playing in this series because they need match practice,” Woolmer said.
Both Shoaib and Asif were cleared of a doping offence and their long-term bans were set aside by the tribunal on Tuesday. They were recalled from the ICC Champions Trophy in India in October and banned for two years and one year respectively by another drugs inquiry commission in early November.
Woolmer said Shoaib told him he needed a month to regain his rhythm. Both players bowled in the Pakistan nets for under an hour on Friday.
“I think they (Shoaib and Asif) need time and they must play some domestic matches. Their return will certainly boost our bowling,” Woolmer expressed.
He also felt the criticism of the appeals panel judgement was based on misinformation. “I read a lot of reaction on the judgment most of which is uninformed. Both the commissions did the right thing and if you read the appeal panel's judgment you are satisfied like I am,” he said.
The panel said both players had not intentionally taken the banned substance nandrolone and were not properly advised about their supplements intake. —Reuters
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