ICC clears Nazir to play in CT despite using banned drug

Karachi:

The International Cricket Council has allowed flamboyant Pakistan opener Imran Nazir to play in the Champions Trophy despite using a banned substance to cure his breathing problems.

Senior official in the Pakistan cricket Board confirmed that there was some issues prior to the match against the West Indies on Wednesday because the medication Nazir had taken for a chronic asthmatic problem finds a place in ICC's anti-doping list.

"The matter is now cleared because we had already informed the ICC medical commission about the medication being used by Nazir three years back when we faced the same problem before the 2006 Champions Trophy," the PCB official said.

Nazir had fallen ill after nets on Tuesday and was suffering from breathing problems after which the team doctor gave him the prescribed medication.

"Unfortunately when the ICC was informed about this development initially they showed reservations on allowing Nazir to play the match as the prescribed medication contained some banned substance," another PCB source said.

"But when the Pakistan Cricket Board faxed ICC a copy of the letter sent to it three years back before the 2006 Champions Trophy, outlining the drugs Nazir uses for his chronic breathing problem, they allowed him to play the match and cleared him for the tournament," the source said.

Another PCB official said they were few Pakistani players, including fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who took medication for breathing problems and these were in the notice of the ICC medical commission.

"So there is really no confusion anywhere. The issue is now cleared up. I do not think there is any complexity involved as the matter was already in the notice of the ICC," the PCB official added.

Nazir had returned to the national side after playing for two seasons in the rebel Indian Cricket League.