Left-arm spinner Reza Hasan files appeal against doping ban

Karachi: Left-arm spinner Reza Hasan has filed an appeal against the two-year ban slapped on him for returning positive in a dope test by Pakistan Cricket Board.

Hasan told a media conference in Lahore today that he had appealed against his ban since it was imposed unilaterally by the PCB without first hearing him out.

"The ban is not just as it was imposed without listening to my side of the story or giving me a fair chance to explain the situation," Hasan said.

The PCB banned the spinner who has played 10 Twenty20 Internationals and one ODI for Pakistan last month after he tested positive for cocaine in a random test carried out during the Pentangular one-day cup in Karachi in January.

The PCB in its release said that it had as per anti-doping laws sent a show cause notice to Hasan to respond within 14 days and hire a legal team to defend himself but he had failed to meet the deadline and a ban was being imposed on him from all cricket.

22-year-old Hasan said that he was willing to face any punishment if it was proven beyond doubt that he had used the banned substance.

"I request the Board to form a judicial tribunal and to hold a proper trial and if I can't defend myself with my legal team then I am willing to accept any other punishment as well," the spinner said.

He said anti-doping laws were clear that no athlete could be banned for such a long period until he was given proper hearing.

"I have not got that hearing and I now want the Board to hold a proper trial for my case," he added.

Hasan has a history of indiscipline and even after he failed the dope test he was arrested in a police raid for attending a rave party in Lahore.

His departmental team, National bank has already initiated legal proceedings against him for the failed dope test.

In the past also, other Pakistani players have failed dope tests including pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Asif in 2006.