PAKISTAN PLAYERS TO KNOW FATE

Pakistan pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar will find out on Saturday if they can play in the World Cup after testing positive for banned substances.

Both were sent home from the Champions Trophy after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone.

Shahid Hamid, head of the tribunal set up to look into the allegations, said: "We'll close the inquiry on Saturday.

"Both players said they have accepted the findings of the 'A' sample and don't want a second test conducted."

He added: "We offered both the players to have retests on 'B' samples which they declined, which implies that they are not questioning their failed dope tests.

"They had explained their point of view and we are now going to take medical opinion to examine the situation."

If found guilty, the pair should face a two-year ban, the minimum for a first offence under International Cricket Council doping rules, which would rule them out of the World Cup which takes place next March and April.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said it will take its own decision because the tests were conducted internally.

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf promised the tribunal would act "impartially and fairly" and seek a "correct decision".

He added: "A thorough, independent investigation is being carried out. They have been accused of testing positive, but we don't know if they took it inadvertently or intentionally."

The hearing, which opened last Thursday, continued on Friday and lasted for more than six hours with both bowlers appearing twice before the tribunal.

"During the second hearing Shoaib and Asif recorded their statements," a PCB spokesman said.

"Asif came alone, while Shoaib was accompanied by doctor (and personal physician) Nauman Niaz and also stayed for one hour."