Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has filed an appeal with the Pakistan Cricket Board against the two-year ban imposed on him for a doping offence.
His teammate Mohammad Asif, who was also banned for one year for a similar offence last week, had filed an appeal through his lawyer -- former Test cricketer Aftab Gul -- a few days back.
An official said PCB received Shoaib's appeal last evening and now the drugs appeal tribunal, headed by Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, would convene soon to consider both the appeals.
The appeals tribunal also includes former Test cricketer Hasib Ahsan and Dr Danish Zaheer, who is the President of the Pakistan Sports Medicine Association.
Shoaib and Asif, two of Pakistan's main strike bowlers, were first called back from the Champions Trophy in India last month after testing positive for banned substance nandrolone in out-of-competition tests conducted by the PCB.
The pace duo then faced a drugs inquiry tribunal, headed by barrister Shahid Hamid, which imposed the bans on them.
In Shoaib's case, if he is not successfull in getting the ban removed or reduced his career is likely to be over. On the other hand, young Asif would miss the World Cup next year if his one year ban is not lifted.
"He (Akhtar) is aware of this and has hired renowned lawyer Abid Hasan Manto to fight his case. He has alsol been in touch with anti-doping experts abroad to strengthen his case," one of Shoaib's aides said.
