Pakistani pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were to appear Saturday before a three-member tribunal probing a doping scandal that forced them out of the Champions Trophy in India.

The tribunal, headed by barrister Shahid Hamid, includes former captain and coach Intikhab Alam and Waqar Ahmed, a doctor and doping expert.

Akhtar and Asif were sent home from India on Monday after urine samples tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone. Their 'B' samples are yet to be examined.

The duo reached Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters at Gaddafi stadium early Saturday to record their statements separately.

The tribunal is expected to take two weeks to return its findings and recommendations to the PCB, which will then take a final decision.

"I cannot predict any time frame but would try to reach the conclusion as early as possible. We will give fair chance to both the players and then submit our report to the PCB," Hamid told reporters.

Under International Cricket Council doping rules the penalty for a first doping offense is a ban of two years. However, the PCB said it will take its own decision since the tests were conducted internally.

Both Akhtar and Asif have pleaded their innocence, saying they have not deliberately taken any banned substance.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)