KARACHI, Nov 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday rejected pacer Mohammad Asif’s plea for a relaxation in his suspension from all forms of cricket.

A senior PCB official said an application sent by Asif to the Board to allow him some relaxation in the ban imposed on him for a doping offence was discussed in the governing body meeting, but was turned down as his case is awaiting hearing in both Indian Premier League Drugs Tribunal as well as board’s special committee.

“His request has been rejected as not only is his case pending with the IPL tribunal but also with the special committee formed by the PCB,” the official said.

Asif was suspended by the PCB few months back after he tested positive in a dope test carried out during the semifinal of the IPL in June. Later, his “B” sample test also came positive, but in both the tests the amount of banned substance found in his urine sample differed. Asif also spent 19 days in detention in Dubai in June while returning home from the IPL after authorities seized small quantity of a banned substance from his possession.

He was later released without any charges pressed against him but the PCB constituted a inquiry committee to find out if Asif had violated any anti-doping regulations of the board.

“Asif wanted the board give him some temporary relief as his case is yet to be decided by the drugs inquiry tribunal,” the official said. “But the body felt he will have to wait for the outcome,” he added. Asif and his lawyer have challenged the legal jurisdiction of the IPL. The next hearing before the IPL tribunal is slated for Nov 20 in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s coach Intikhab Alam has said he is keen to see Asif get cleared of the doping offence and make a comeback to the national team.—Agencies