Shah pays the price for breaching ICC doping code

PAKISTAN leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Cricket Council has announced.

The 29-year-old provided a sample which was found to contain chlortalidone, a banned diuretic, following Pakistan’s second one-day international against England in Abu Dhabi on November 13.

Shah has been charged with a breach of the ICC’s anti-doping code and will face disciplinary proceedings. A statement from the ICC added: “In accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code, pending the outcome of the disciplinary process, Yasir has been provisionally suspended.”

Shah, who has played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs, bowled nine overs in the match but did not take any wickets as England won by 95 runs.

He tormented England during the Test series in October and November in the United Arab Emirates, which Pakistan won 2-0. Shah, who missed the first match of the series, came back into the side and took 15 wickets in the next two as England struggled in the conditions.

Despite his relative inexperience at Test level, Shah has taken an incredible 76 wickets already at an average of 24.17 and has four five-wicket hauls to his name.

After spending time in the Pakistan camp during that series, Shane Warne, one of the game’s great spinners, described Shah as “the best spinner in the world”.

Meanwhile, ODI captain Azhar Ali and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez have refused to attend a Pakistan training camp because of Mohammad Amir’s inclusion.

Last week, paceman Amir, pictured, took a big step towards international re-integration following a ban for match-fixing when he was named in Pakistan’s training and fitness squad ahead of next month’s limited-over matches in New Zealand.

“I will not attend the camp as long as Amir is there,” Azhar said last week. “This is my decision. I don’t want to comment on Hafeez’s decision but we both have the same stance.”

Amir, former Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif served jail sentences in Britain after being found guilty in 2011 of various offences of corrupt behaviour. The trio were cleared to return to the sport by the ICC in September after serving suspensions.

Amir, 23, was one of 26 players named for the Pakistan fitness camp in Lahore that will last until January 7. – Daily Mail