Karachi, Sep 24 (Inditop.com) Pakistan opener Imran Nazir almost missed the chance of playing in the Champions Trophy after using a banned substance for treating a congenital breathing problems, but was cleared to play just in time.
According to a report in The News Thursday, the batsman obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) hours before the start of Pakistan’s opening match against West Indies.
The report said that Imran had to be given emergency medical treatment earlier this week for a congentinal breathing disease. It was found that the drug was on the list of ICC’s banned substances.
“The drug that Imran Nazir used was banned. When the matter was brought to the notice of the ICC, they initially refused to accept Pakistan’s plea. However, when they were told that he was taking the medicine after informing the ICC medical panel, they convened a conference and decided to allow Imran to play in the opening match after getting clearance from their doctors,” the report added.
The report also said that Imran had to take the drug after his condition worsened Tuesday.
“He suffers from an congentinal breathing problem and the medicine used by the batsman is very important. The ICC doctors’ panel is well aware of the fact. However, they had to check their record before accepting our plea,” a doctor accompanying the team confirmed.
A meeting was still being held regarding the complications involved.
“I do not think there is any complicity involved as the matter was already in the notice of the ICC,” a Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) spokesman was quoted as saying by the report.
Imran was banned by the PCB after he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007. However, he was pardoned earlier this summer after quitting the Twenty20 league and was recalled for the tour of Sri Lanka.