Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who has been withdrawn from the Pakistan squad at the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in India following a positive dope test, pleaded innocent on Monday.
"I just want to assure everyone that I am innocent of doing anything I shouldn't have done," Akhtar said on his official web site, www.bigstarcricket.com.
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Akhtar and fellow-pacer Mohammad Asif were ordered to return to Pakistan after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs in a test conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board before the squad left for India.
Akhtar insists that he is clean.
"All I can say is that I have not knowingly taken any performance-enhancing drugs and would never cheat my team mates or opponents this way."
Both players are supposed to leave for Pakistan on Monday. Left-arm spinner Abdul Rahman and all-rounder Yasir Arafat are expected to be replace them.
Akhtar added that he never felt the need to use any supplements to improve his bowling.
"I have always played the game fair and I give 100 per cent and do not feel the need to take drugs to improve my bowling. I am gutted to be missing the Champions Trophy and I will return to Pakistan to see what needs to be done," he said.
He also said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had asked him to not reveal any details on the issue.
"The President of Pakistan has asked me not to comment in any detail at this stage and I want to respect his wishes," he said.
