Pakistan pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will know on Saturday if they can play in next year's World Cup after appearing before a tribunal investigating their positive doping tests.
The duo were recalled last week from the Champions Trophy in India after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone following checks conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The head of the tribunal, barrister Shahid Hamid, said Shoaib and Asif had on Friday turned down an offer to have their B samples tested to confirm or negate the positive tests.
"They said they have accepted the findings of the A sample and don't want a second test conducted. The tribunal recorded their statements today and will close the inquiry on Saturday," Hamid told reporters in Lahore. Both players have denied charges of knowingly using a banned substance.
Friday's hearing lasted for more than six hours with both bowlers appearing twice before the tribunal. Shoaib's case was pleaded by his personal physician, Dr Nauman Niaz. Under the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-doping policy, Shoaib and Asif face a two-year ban for a first violation.
But since they tested positive in out-of-competition checks, the tribunal will recommend their punishments.
A six-month ban will mean they miss the World Cup in West Indies which starts in March. Shoaib and Asif are the first cricketers to test positive for a banned steroid. Australia leg spinner Shane Warne was banned for one year before the 2003 World Cup after testing positive for a diuretic. Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam and Dr Waqar Ahmad are the other members of the tribunal.
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