PCB to appeal against Yasir suspension

Leg-spinner will plead on medical grounds after testing positive for banned substance

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is going to lodge an appeal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal against the suspension handed out to spinner Yasir Shah over a doping code breach last month. The tribunal will sit down to discuss the issue in two weeks’ time.

The Swabi-born leg-spinner, who has collected an astonishing 76 scalps in only 12 Tests, was provisionally suspended in December under the ICC anti-doping code for testing positive for diuretic.

A sample taken from Yasir on November 13, when Pakistan played an ODI against England in Abu Dhabi, was found to contain chlortalidone, which is on the World Anti-Doping Authority’s (WADA) prohibited list of diuretics and masking agents. However, it is claimed that the masking agent was taken through the pill Yasir uses to keep his high blood pressure in control.

Yasir’s suspension is a major blow to Pakistan’s already frail bowling resources, especially in the spin department; however, the PCB is hopeful of an early end to his suspension or a light ban following their decision of not demanding his B sample last week.

PCB’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi told The Express Tribune that the PCB will “assist the ICC tribunal in the matter of Yasir for arriving at a just decision under the ICC doping code”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.

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