Subcontinental fast bowler tested positive during IPL

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Speculation over a positive drug test during the inaugural Indian Premier League season this year was set to rest by IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who confirmed it late Sunday.

He, however, said in a statement that it is premature to say the cricketer had failed the drug test since some more procedures needed to be followed before cofirming it.

During the IPL which ended June 1, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials had taken random samples and the agency has reportedly confirmed that one player failed the test.

The identity of the player is not revealed, but speculation is that he is a fast bowler from the subcontinent.

The IPL is likely to reveal the name of the player Monday, but what interests followers of the game is who will take action. Will it be the IPL or and also the board to which the player belongs?

In all, 14 players were tested during the IPL, but a month after its start.

If it is a fast bowler, it could be anyone who had been under medication for injuries.

The two Pakistani fast bowlers, Mohammad Asif of Delhi Daredevils and Shoaib Akhtar who joined the Kolkata Knight Riders midway through the tournament after the Pakistan board lifted a disciplinary ban on him, were the obvious suspects in view of their past record.

Both were thrown out of the last Champions Trophy by the Pakistan board after they failed the drug test conducted by it.

Asif was also under the scanner when he was held by Dubai airport authorities for allegedly possessing a banned substance. He was there in transit en route to Karachi from Mumbai after the IPL and he was released after 19 days in custody. The Pakistan board has constituted a tribunal to probe the matter.

Shane Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to victory in the league, had to miss the 2003 world cup in South Africa for testing positive.

WADA has reportedly written to the International Cricket Council, the IPL management and the Indian board about the drug abuse.