Though the Indian Premier League (IPL) tried to follow all procedures of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and designed a code under the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) module, it is likely that Mohammad Asif, caught doping for the second time, may escape with a light sentence.

Asif first fell in the anti-doping net during the 2006 Champions Trophy for use of the banned substance Nandrolone and was barred from playing international cricket for a year. His positive test during the IPL is his second offence and, going by the ICC’s anti-doping policy, would call for a life ban. But since the IPL is a part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) domestic circuit — the BCCI is among the six nations yet to become signatories to the WADA code — it is still unclear if the Pakistani paceman will be sanctioned under the international doping policy of the ICC. The BCCI does not have an anti-doping code of its own.

On Sunday evening, after it first came to light that Asif had tested positive, the ICC had reacted by saying, “In this case, the BCCI will have to react in a timely and fair manner.” ICC media manager Brian Murgatroyd further explained on Monday: “The ICC only retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed (by the IPL/BCCI) is inconsistent with the WADA code.”

Therefore, the the ICC may be powerless in handing Asif a life ban. At best, as a top official explains, the player can be handed a suspension or a fine, to which the ICC will only remain a watchdog.

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