Asif slapped with one year ban

The Indian Premier League's drugs tribunal has handed a one-year ban to Pakistan bowler Mohammad Asif.

The 26-year-old tested positive for the banned drug nandrolone during the inaugural edition of the IPL in May last year.

Asif appeared before the drugs tribunal comprising of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, legal expert Shirish Gupte and Dr Ravi Bapat last month, but the verdict was delayed.

‘The ban on Mohammad Asif would commence from 22 September 2008 as that was the date on which the IPL had imposed the suspension order,’ an IPL statement said.

Asif was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board immediately after the positive test was confirmed by the IPL in July last year.

Asif requested for his B sample to be tested, which also came back positive.

He then appeared before the tribunal on 11 October, but the tribunal members adjourned that meeting without deciding on a verdict and scheduled a second meeting for 29 November.

But that meeting was postponed to January due to the Mumbai terror attacks.

During the hearing Asif said eye drops prescribed for an inflammatory condition was the reason for the adverse test.

Asif terminated his contract with the Delhi Daredevils last month, saying his priority was to clear his name and return to the Pakistan national team.

This is Asif's second dope offence involving nandrolone.

He had tested positive for the banned substance during an out-of-competition test conducted by the PCB in October 2006 and missed the Champions Trophy as a consequence.

He was handed a one-year ban by the PCB which was subsequently overturned on appeal.