Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif is the player who has tested positive for a banned substance during the Twenty20 Indian Premier League, organisers of the inaugural tournament revealed on Monday.
"The Indian Premier League compared the result from the WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland with the data collected by IDTM, the Sweden-based independent agency which organised the anti-doping testing in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, to confirm the player in violation is Mr Mohammad Asif," the IPL said in a statement.
"A note in writing has been sent to the fast bowler, the Pakistan Cricket Board and Asif's franchisee, Delhi Daredevils, on the findings," the statement added.
The organisers also announced that former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar will be a part of the three-member IPL Drugs Tribunal that will decide the fate of Asif.
Gavaskar, along with former Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Chancellor Dr Ravi Bapat and lawyer Shirish Gupte, will take up the matter in case Asif's B sample is found to be positive.
The tribunal will take a decision in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency code to which the IPL is a signatory.
Interestingly, Asif was detained at the Dubai International airport last month for allegedly carrying contraband drugs in his luggage on his way back home from India after playing in the IPL. He was kept in detention for 19 days for allegedly carrying 0.24 grams of opium in his wallet during transit through Dubai en route to Pakistan from India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has already constituted a three-man committee to investigate Asif's detention in Dubai on allegations of possessing an illegal substance.
Asif and fellow-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar had tested positive during the last edition of the Champions Trophy, held in India in 2006.
