Pakistan’s gifted legspinner, Yasir Shah, earlier today got suspended for use of banned substances. He has been provisionally suspended under the ICC’s anti-doping code for testing positive for a banned substance.
What does this mean?
While under provisional suspension, he cannot play under any capacity in either international or local matches organized by ICC, national board or it’s affiliate members. So basically no PSL or T20 world cup for the poor man’s Messi.
A sample taken from Yasir on November 13, when Pakistan played an ODI against England in Abu Dhabi, was found to contain chlortalidone, which is on WADA’s (World Anti-Doping Agency) prohibited list of diuretics and masking agents.
This sucks.
Yasir Shah filled the gap rather miraculously since Ajmal got banned last year (and lost his magic). He has been the back bone of Pakistan’s bowling and has one of the major reasons for Pakistan’s test dominance in recent times.
So how did Pakistanis respond?
Well, everyone has their own theories.
Yasir shah might have used a steroid injury healer and the the diuretic to flush the substance of his system #yasirshah
— Aleena Farooq (@FarooqAleena) December 27, 2015
For this guy, it was fate.
Shane Warne who’s also a big fan of Yasir Shah’s bowling had his share of problems with drugs.
Yasir shah 's ideal is Shane warne.. He was also banned for one year in 2003 before world cup.. Yasir shah is going to be the same..
— U.A.S™ (@UsmanAliSayyed) December 27, 2015
And of course, there were those that jumped to conspiracy theories. Typical.
@TeamQuetta No not again…Ajmal, Naraine,Hafeez and now him something is cooking for sure.
— ABDULLAH GILL (@MAbdullahGill) December 27, 2015
Some just simply tried to reach Allah regarding the matter.
@teamquetta ALLAH yasir shah ki madad farmye ham usy nai khona chahty ;(
— §@M!@ @//D£EEB (@SamiaAndleeb) December 27, 2015
But these guys had logical reasons for what happened.
Yasir Shah tests positive for a banned diuretic. Those coaching sessions with Warne may have backfired a bit.
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) December 27, 2015
Yasir Shah banned by the icc for failing his drugs test he must have taken a high dose of naswar
— Shelfie King FC (@SharyAhmad19) December 27, 2015
Meanwhile, this guy had philosophical queries.
Why the hell this year is not ending. still 4 days to go. another bad news for Pakistan in 2015 – Yasir Shah tests positive in a dope Test.
— Umar Farooq Kalson (@kalson) December 27, 2015
But maybe there’s hope???
Funny how people who dont know Jack about medicine, start judging and become moral police on Yasir Shah
— Sunshine (@VoiceOfValor) December 27, 2015
Chlortalidone is not a performance-enhancing drug. But diuretics like it are commonly used to mask PEDs. Warne was done for the same thing.
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) December 27, 2015
Or not…
This is why Chlortalidone is banned. It is used to flush other substances out of system. pic.twitter.com/JD8wKwck9D
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) December 27, 2015
It is ironic that the drug for which Yasir has been tested positive can't be his own doing
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) December 27, 2015
Yasir has been tested positive for chlorothiadone a diuretic meaning it was used as a masker. And reports reveal it was taken on Nov 13th
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) December 27, 2015
Equivalent to deleting history and cookies after watching pornography? https://t.co/gAdvmw8sQ3
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 27, 2015
But the jury is still out…sort of.
Twitter Poll: Do you think ICC is correct in suspending Yasir Shah?
— Farhan Khan Virk (@FarhanKVirk) December 27, 2015
Just when you thought the Aamir issue had been put to rest, a new issue arises. Say what you will, Pakistani cricket is never short of surprises.
Do you think the PCB should take partial responsibility for this? After all, many of these players come from very humble backgrounds and are therefore can be very easily influenced into indulging in illegal activities without understanding the consequences?