ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United, the champions of the inaugural edition of the tournament, will be drafting a fixing and doping questionnaire for their signings ahead of the third season of the league next year.
The decision comes after Mohammed Irfan became the third United player to be charged with a breach of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) code of conduct, after Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were sent back home following the first league fixture of PSL2.
It is also important to mention that Islamabad’s star all-rounder Andre Russell was ruled out of the league after being banned for a year during the Big Bash in Australia, for failing a dope test.
“It’s clear that we haven’t kept this in mind while bidding for players in drafts,” said United co-owner Amna Naqvi. “This is why we have focused on a different sort of draft in a bid to gauge the skills of players outside the cricket field.”
Co-owner Ali Naqvi said the draft questionnaire is being prepared and will be presented to all members of Islamabad United including players, coaches, support staff, managers, and even the owners.
“I just asked Amna what she would do if a bookie approaches her and her reply was spot on,” Ali said. “I gave her a positive response regarding the dope test as well.”
United management has confirmed that they are hiring the expertise of fast bowler Mohammed Asif to draft the questionnaire considering his expertise in failing drug tests and spot-fixing. Reports also suggest that Salman Butt would join Asif, as he looks towards a new career direction after seemingly being discarded from national team contention.
“We were hoping to draft Lance Amstrong and Maria Sharapova, but they were beyond the Platinum category,” Amna Naqvi confirmed.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Amir would be unavailable since he is signed up for Karachi Kings.
