Yasir Shah to appeal against doping suspension

Pakistan premier leg-spinner, Yasir Shah has decided to appeal against his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. He has informed the ICC through the Pakistan Cricket Board that he will contest the case. The PCB told the ICC on Sunday and the game’s governing body will now form a tribunal to hear Shah’s appeal.

Shah was suspended last month after his ‘A’ sample contained a banned substance chlortalidone which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list. Reports in Pakistan have claimed he took his wife’s blood pressure medication without knowing that it contained the banned substance. During his suspension, Shah cannot participate in any international match or games organized by the PCB or its affiliated members.

He was provisionally suspended in December under the ICC anti-doping code for testing positive. The sample was taken on November 13 when Pakistan played an ODI against England in Abu Dhabi. A senior official of the PCB confirmed that they had informed the ICC that he will file his appeal by the given deadline of January 12th.

Even PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan had said that Shah had taken the medicine prescribed for his wife’s high blood pressure by mistake late night during the series against England. “His family also has a history of blood pressure and heart condition problems,” he told the media this week in Karachi.

Shah, 29, has taken 76 Test wickets in 12 matches and is one of the best bowlers in world cricket. Pakistan has depended heavily on him in Test cricket and the board will hope that he comes out clean from this investigation.