"We have set the example for others," Alam, a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) drug testing tribunal, told the Bigstar Cricket Web site on Thursday.

"We didn't have any doubts in our minds about what we have announced.

"They admitted themselves that they had been taking dietary supplements. They are both adults and players have to be responsible for their own actions. Sometimes you have to take these decisions," the former Pakistan coach said.

"It's sad that it happened but now, since we have taken that decision, the youngsters coming up will be very, very careful."

A PCB tribunal on Wednesday banned Shoaib for two years and fellow fast bowler Asif for one after they had tested positive for the steroid nandrolone.

The pair were recalled from the Champions Trophy in India last month after the PCB received the results of the out-of-competition tests carried out in Pakistan before the tournament.

The sanctions are effective from Oct. 15, although Shoaib and Asif, who have both denied knowingly using banned substances, can appeal.

Explaining the different length of punishments given to the players, Alam said: "Shoaib has been around for the last 10 years and the written statement that his spokesman gave about him taking dietary supplements and not consulting a doctor, shows he was negligent."

He said the tribunal had been more lenient with Asif because his English was not that good and he comes from a remote village where he would not have been educated on the dangers of drugs in sport.