Pakistan left-arm spinner tests positive for cocaine, faces ban

Young Pakistan left-arm spinner Raza Hassan is facing a possible two-year ban from all forms of cricket after testing positive for cocaine in a dope test carried out at the WADA accredited laboratory in India.

According to a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board the test of the first urine sample of Hassan, taken during the Pentangular Cup in Karachi in January, had tested positive for cocaine.

“The results of the second sample are still awaited but on basis of the first sample results, the board has already
established a two-member committee to chargesheet the spinner and seek an explanation from him,” the source said.

Hassan, 22, who has played one ODI and 10 Twenty20 Internationals, has been advised to hire a lawyer to submit
his answer to the committee that includes a qualified sports medicine doctor and former Test player, Colonel Naushad Ali.

“The PCB is taking the matter very seriously because this is the first time any player has tested positive for the use
of cocaine,” the source added.

“If Hassan can’t clear himself before the inquiry committee, he faces a two-year ban from all cricket,” he
added.

In the past also some Pakistani cricketers have tested positive for banned substances, including fast bowlers Shoaib
Akhtar and Muhammad Asif who had to be dropped for the 2007 World Cup because of their problem.

Source:: Indian Express