DateLine: 15th November 2006

Media Release - 15 November 2006

The Anti-Doping Appellate Tribunal, constituted to assess the appeals of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif for alleged doping offence, held its preliminary meeting at National Cricket Academy Lahore today on 15 November, 2006. The Tribunal comprises:
1. Mr Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim (Chairman), Ex-Chief Justice Sind High Court and ex-Governor Sind
2. Hasib Ahsan (Member), Former Test Cricketer and Ex-Chairman Selection Committee
3. Dr Danish Zaheer (Member) - Physician

The Tribunal would hold its next hearing on 20 November, 2006.

Mr Mark Gay, an internationally renowned sports lawyer, was invited by PCB to assist the Tribunal as "Amicus Curiae" or friend of the court. Amicus curiae is a legal terminology which is defined as "a person or party which is not involved in a particular litigation but is allowed by the court to advise it on a legal matter directly affecting the litigation."

PCB has arranged Mr Gay's presence to facilitate the Anti-Doping Appellate Tribunal keeping in view his enormous experience in sports law specifically pertaining to anti-doping regulations.

Mr Mark Gay is regarded as the leading sports lawyer and holds stellar reputation in litigation, drugs control and regulatory matters. He is highly experienced and has acted in high-profile cases internationally. Mr Gay is from M/s DLA Piper a renowned law firm in the UK. DLA Piper is widely recognized as one the premier sports practices in the world.

On the request of the Defense Counsel Mr Abid Minto, the Chairman of the Tribunal Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim adjourned the proceedings till Monday, 20 November, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

Media Department

(Article: Copyright © 2006 Pakistan Cricket Board)