Pakistan and Sri Lanka cricketers briefed on WADA rules

Cricketers from Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been briefed about changes to World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) rules which came into effect from January 1 this year.

The new code has several changes from the ICC's previous anti-doping regulations, including the adoption of the International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP), made up of the leading players from each of the top eight one-day international teams.

Lorinda Rugless, the ICC's anti-doping and member services manager, briefed the Pakistan players in Lahore while the Sri Lankan cricketers had a similar briefing in Karachi during their warm up match in Karachi.

All players selected in the IRTP will be required to provide additional information about their whereabouts throughout the year in order that the ICC can implement an effective out-of-competition testing program in line with the requirements of the WADA code.

The Sri Lankan team is in Pakistan to play two Test matches, with Karachi hosting the first Test from Saturday while the second Test will be played in Lahore from March 1.

The ICC official said that the scope of the new anti-doping code had been extended so that cricketers were subject to testing at any time, on any day of the year, whether at ICC events, bilateral series or out of competition.

Meanwhile the "The ICC's chief executive Haroon Lorgat said that the new ICC anti-doping code is an important step forward for the sport of cricket and they are delighted that the PCB and SLC have actively coordinated these sessions.

He added that their aim is to ensure fair play in a clean sport.

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to doping and we are proud of the fact that since we began testing at our events in 2002, we have never had an anti doping rule violation arising at any of those events." The ICC became a signatory to the WADA code in July 2006.