KARACHI: Even after his 'B' sample confirmed his dope flunk, disgraced pacer Mohammad Asif said he would prove his innocence by pointing out to the IPL Drugs Tribunal the procedural irregularities while taking his urine sample.
Asif's urine sample, taken during an IPL semifinal match, was found positive for nandrolone and his 'B' sample tested in Switzerland confirmed the dope flunk but the traces of the banned substance were of different quantities in the two tests.
"I am confident of clearing myself from doping charges. I say this because of unusual circumstances under which my urine sample was taken. There were irregularities I noticed but I will talk about these when I face the tribunal," said Asif who is to appear before an IPL Drugs Tribunal this month.
He said he was shocked with disbelief when he first heard of his positive dope test in July.
"I just couldn't believe this had happened. That I had tested positive for any banned substance because I have never used any in my life," he said.
"I still don't understand why it took one and half months for the IPL to announce the result of my dope test. Results of a dope test is nowadays at the most available in a week. It makes me suspicious," Asif told Daily Express.
The pacer also accused some lobby in Pakistan for trying to sully his image and destroy his cricket career.
"I know there is a certain lobby which is out to create problems for me. These incidents happening to me have been blown out of proportion by this same lobby which does not want to see me play for Pakistan," he said.
"I had come through 19 days in detention in Dubai, which were the most difficult time for me. So, I am not running away from these problems, I will fight."
