Cricket writer R Mohan feels that it is time the PCB took decisions based on principles rather than on cricketer charisma.

Writing for his column on espnstar.com Mohan reckons it is ridiculous to accept the excuse that modern day cricketers dish out about being unaware of details of banned substannces.

Mohan opines a cricketer who expects to earn a million dollars a year should be completely tuned into what is allowed by the WADA and what is not.

Pakistani speedster Mohammad Asif, who was detained in Dubai after the authorities found him carrying a banned substance had said he had no clue of what he was carrying in his wallet as that was given to him by a 'hakim' a long time back and what he is not.

Mohan reckoned there is no way a cricketer can get away with such an excuse, especially when they travel with a whole array of support staff and physical trainers, who should be completely familiar with the list of banned substances.

Pakistan cricket, Mohan suggests has to do away with its "feudal mentality" if it wants to progress in the new age. Pakistan's fast bowlers have repeatedly got embroiled in drug charges and they have repeatedly been let off the hook, which is an absolute action.

Mohan goes back a while in history where he talks of how the Australians let off Mark Waugh and Shane Warne after their names had supplied team information to a bookie. The Australian board had countered that the two could not be punished for the same offence twice as that would have been unethical and illegal.

Asif, whose name has now become a consistent force in drug related cases in cricket has to be dealt with more firmly and for Mohan, nothing less than a life ban on Asif would help redeem the game's reputation in the public eye.