I have not consumed any prohibited substance: Rehman

Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who is facing a two-year ban after testing positive in England [ Images ], on Tuesday claimed that he has not consumed any prohibited medicines or substances which could lead to his sanctioning.

"Frankly speaking I really don't know how this test has come positive because I don't remember taking any medicines or prohibited items that might contain banned substances," Rehman said from London [ Images ].

The Test spinner will know soon whether he can continue playing in England for Somerset in the county championship or will have to face a ban after he returned positive in a dope test carried out there.

"People are talking about a two year ban but from what I know even if they ban me it should not be for more than two months since I have not used any performance enhancing substances," Rehman said.

The Sialkot-born spinner has made a big impact for his county, taking nine wickets in an innings in one match and is their leading wicket-taker in all forms of the game.

Rehman was overlooked by the Pakistani selectors for the World Twenty20 [ Images ] in Sri Lanka [ Images ] and this prompted him to sign a deal with Somerset. The selectors preferred young Raza Hasan over him for the World Twenty20.

A Pakistan Cricket Board official when contacted declined to comment on the issue.

"We are waiting for a detailed report from the England and Wales Cricket Board on the matter. All we know now is he has failed a dope test," the official said.

He said once the ECB sends a detailed report, the Board would be in a better position to comment on the matter.

"But obviously it is disappointing for us," he added.

Rehman, 32, has played 17 Tests and 25 ODIs for Pakistan.

According to ICC [ Images ] regulations, if any member country bans a player for any doping offence than his home Board has to also enforce the same decision.

In the past, Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar [ Images ] and Mohammad Asif [ Images ] have also tested positive in dope tests in 2006.

Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images