Pakistan duo await appeal outcome

Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are expected to find out on Tuesday the result of their appeals against drug bans.

Shoaib was suspended for two years and Asif for one year after they tested positive for nandrolone while preparing for October's Champions Trophy.

Should 31-year-old Shoaib's appeal to a Pakistan Cricket Board tribunal prove unsuccessful, many fear it could spell the end of the line for the 'Rawalpindi Express' in international cricket.

Shoaib and 23-year-old Asif provided positive samples in independent tests on 19 players, carried out by the PCB.

The board swiftly announced suspensions for the bowlers, both of whom were at pains to stress they would never knowingly take banned substances.

The punishment was confirmed by a three-member panel comprising barrister Shahid Hamid, former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam and medical expert Waqar Ahmed.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq responded by calling for the bans to be reduced - warning that otherwise he feared for Shoaib's cricketing future.

"If Shoaib's ban is not reduced it will be very difficult for him to come back," Inzamam said last month.

"It would be difficult for anyone who is 30-plus and out of the game for two years to come back from that kind of ban, not just him.

"Spinners and batsmen can play straightaway and get back into their game, but fast bowlers need time to get their rhythm back. I hope their bans will be reduced."