The Pakistan Cricket Board may toughen its anti-doping regulations after the Mohammad Asif doping drama.

According to sources, the PCB and the ICC have started reviewing their anti-doping regulations and code of conduct to confront the given scenario once Asif is released by the Dubai police.

"The issue here is while the PCB anti-doping regulations clearly cover the use of banned performance enhancing drugs but in many ways their regulations remain silent on what happens if a player is found using recreational drugs even in small quantity specially if he is not on national duty," one source said.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said Asif would face an inquiry once he returns home: "It is too early to say anything but yes our anti-doping regulations are now complaint with the World Anti-Doping Agency and in this particular case also we have to follow their regulations."

"We are hopeful he will be released and allowed to return home but since it is an incident involving drugs no matter how small the quantity, he could be suspended from playing cricket until the inquiry is conducted against him." 

The source claimed the ICC finds itself in an uncomfortable position as it is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency charter which discourages and bans the use of illegal substances, drugs and even recreational drugs.

The PCB, however will not spare Asif the rod. The image of Pakistan cricket has taken a severe beating, so consequently, the board will penalise him under its code of conduct for bringing the game into disrepute which has a maximum ban of five Tests or 10 one-day internationals and even a fine.