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Omar’s charges against Richards

Karachi: In a startling revelation, ex-Pakistan cricketer Qasim Omar has claimed that former West Indies captain Vivian Richards used to take performance enhancing drugs before the new anti-doping regulations were enforced by the ICC.

Appearing on television talk show on Thursday, Omar, a controversial figure in Pakistan cricket, said Richards had himself confessed to him that he used to take drugs to release tension and improve his stamina and endurance levels.

Common thing

“Use of drugs was common among many players and they used to transport these drugs in their kit bags,” Omar, who represented Pakistan in 26 Tests and 31 ODIs said.

He had also accused former Pakistan captain Imran Khan and other players of using their kit bags to transport drugs to the United Kingdom and was subsequently banned for life by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Repercussion

Omar’s accusation had led to the customs authorities at the Heathrow airport unleash sniffer dogs on the Pakistan team when it landed for a Test tour in 1987. — PTI

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