Sonn critical of Pakistan board's 'inconsistency'

Percy Sonn, the ICC president, has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board over inconsistency in handling the judgement involving Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, the fast bowlers who were acquitted by the Anti-Doping appeals committee.

"The judgment highlights inconsistencies in the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) anti-doping processes and regulations," said Sonn. "Cricket has taken significant strides forward in addressing the important issue of drug use in our sport. However, this judgement emphasises that much more work needs to be done to educate players and to synchronise our members' efforts to attain a totally drug-free sport."

Sonn hoped that the other member countries would avoid similar discrepancies. "It is vital that cricket takes heed of the judgment and that the lessons it provides are disseminated amongst all our members. Of primary importance is that all those members revisit their own regulations and align them both with the ICC's Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code."

He was also keen that players around the world are not caught unawares in the future. "The issue of player education is also of vital importance and the ICC will, with WADA's continued assistance, do its utmost to make it easier for our members to provide this service to their players and officials. The key fact is that it is vital for all our members to maintain a zero tolerance on the use of drugs in our sport.

"That is the idea behind the ICC's drug-testing regime at all our events since 2002 and our adoption of the WADA Code in July of this year. I would now urge all our Members to ensure appropriate action is taken so cricket can show just how committed it is to being known as a drug-free sport."