Is it not truly tragic that the first performance enhancing drugs suspension in the history of international cricket, (not counting Shane Warne's use of a diuretic), had to come for Pakistan, and that too with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. The PCB deserves credit and also blame in this situation. Credit for actually doing the tests, and once the results came back, for being decisive in not allowing Akhtar and Asif to play in the Champions Trophy, despite it almost being certain that they would not have success in the event without them. They also deserve credit for dealing with the issue in an appropriate and timely way, and for not trying to draw it out and to have it hanging like an axe over the head of Pakistani cricket.
The blame is perhaps more substantial. The PCB failed to provide a young cricketer like Asif enough information to become truly educated in the ways of performance enhancing products, and what to avoid and what to take. They accept this blame, but this acceptance cannot be taken at face value for the damage it can do to the man's career. They also deserve blame for being so hands off with Shoaib Akhtar and his medical care, and his personal decision to take various products. Despite his own predelictions, the team medics have to take responsibility for this as well, to ensure that all players are taking safe and appropriate products. And on top of that, was there really any need to go out and make comments about the man's personal life and choices? Was not the issue of drugs clearly sufficient?
The blame is perhaps more substantial. The PCB failed to provide a young cricketer like Asif enough information to become truly educated in the ways of performance enhancing products, and what to avoid and what to take. They accept this blame, but this acceptance cannot be taken at face value for the damage it can do to the man's career. They also deserve blame for being so hands off with Shoaib Akhtar and his medical care, and his personal decision to take various products. Despite his own predelictions, the team medics have to take responsibility for this as well, to ensure that all players are taking safe and appropriate products. And on top of that, was there really any need to go out and make comments about the man's personal life and choices? Was not the issue of drugs clearly sufficient?
powered by performancing firefox
0 comments:
Post a Comment