Shoaib Akhtar happy to take dope tests

Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday moved to dispel any suggestion he was running away from dope tests ahead of the Champions Trophy, saying he will be the first to give a sample.

Pakistan will conduct dope tests on its 30-man preliminary Champions Trophy squad on Sunday to avoid any further embarrassment following paceman Mohammad Asif's failed test in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Akhtar, who tested positive for nandrolone in October 2006, said he has no fears ahead of the September Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

"I will be the first to give dope test on Sunday because I have no fears and will also give fitness test once I gain rhythm," said Akhtar, who was banned for two years for the positive test.

He and fellow paceman Asif tested positive in tests conducted internally by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Asif was banned for one year but the bans were overturned on appeals.

Akhtar and Asif cleared tests ahead of last year's World Cup in the West Indies before they pulled out due to injuries.

The 32-year-old Akhtar was named in Pakistan's provisional squad earlier this month after Lahore High Court suspended a separate 18-month ban for ill-discipline.

The PCB on Friday left out Akhtar from a 24-member training camp starting later this month on fitness grounds, saying the paceman has asked for time to gain full fitness.

"We don't know how much Akhtar is fit. We feared he might breakdown as it will be a strenuous training camp and that's why we have dropped him from the training camp," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.

Akhtar admitted he will take two to three weeks to get full fitness.

"I will train under Pakistan trainer Greg Dwyer and it will take me two to three weeks to get full fitness and get in full bowling rhythm, and after that I will give a fitness test.

"I am keen to play the Champions Trophy so I am ready to do whatever is required to play for Pakistan," said Akhtar, who last played for Pakistan on the team's tour of India in December last year.

Pakistan feature in a proposed four-nation Twenty20 event in Canada to be held from August 14-17 before hosting New Zealand for a three-match one-day series in late August.

Pakistan host the biennial Champions Trophy from September 11-28.