Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been
sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching its
Anti-Doping Code. The 32-year-old cricketer tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a
prohibited metabolite found in cannabis, during a routine test conducted after
Pakistan's T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo.
 |
| Image Credits: Cricbuzz |
The ICC handed Nawaz a three-month period of ineligibility.
However, the governing body noted that the ban was backdated to May 1, 2026,
when the player voluntarily entered a provisional suspension. Nawaz admitted to
the anti-doping violation and successfully demonstrated that the substance was
consumed out-of-competition and was entirely unrelated to enhancing his
athletic performance.
Because Nawaz accepted the sanction and committed to an
approved substance abuse rehabilitation programme, the ICC lifted his
provisional suspension after he served two and a half months. If he satisfies
the final requirements of the treatment programme, his total period of
ineligibility will officially be reduced to just one month, meaning he will not
be required to serve any further suspension and is cleared to return to action.
Despite avoiding an extended ban, Nawaz faces mandatory sporting penalties. In strict accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code, all of his individual records and statistics from the February 7 match against the Netherlands, as well as any subsequent games played up until May 1, 2026, have been officially disqualified.
