Mohammad Nawaz Suspended for Three Months After Positive Dope Test During T20 World Cup
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been suspended for three months by the ICC after testing positive for a cannabis metabolite during the T20 World Cup. The suspension may reduce to one month after completion of a substance abuse rehabilitation programme, while his match records have been disqualified under anti-doping rules.
The ICC stated that Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code. However, his suspension will be reduced to one month if he successfully completes a substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation programme approved by the governing body.
Nawaz’s period of ineligibility has been backdated to May 1, the date on which he began serving his suspension. The ICC confirmed that the remaining part of the ban will not be required if Nawaz completes the rehabilitation programme to the satisfaction of the organisation.
The ICC said in an official statement, “Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility, which will be reduced to one month on completion of a substance of abuse treatment programme, for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code.”
The governing body further added that Nawaz would not need to serve the remainder of the three-month suspension, subject to successfully completing the required rehabilitation programme.Nawaz Tested Positive for Cannabis Metabolite
The 32-year-old cricketer tested positive for Carboxy-THC, an inactive metabolite produced in the liver after the consumption of cannabis. The sample was collected following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.
The tournament was jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan played all its matches in Sri Lanka under an agreement with the ICC.Nawaz Accepted the Violation
The ICC confirmed that Nawaz accepted the charge and established that the substance was consumed outside the competition period and had no relation to improving his sporting performance.
“Nawaz admitted to the offence and demonstrated that the substance had been used out-of-competition, in a manner unrelated to sport performance,” the ICC stated.
After accepting the sanction and agreeing to undergo rehabilitation, Nawaz’s provisional suspension was lifted as he had already served two and a half months of the penalty period.Match Records Disqualified Under Anti-Doping Rules
According to the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Mohammad Nawaz’s records from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on February 7, along with all subsequent matches played until May 1, have been disqualified.
The suspension marks a significant disciplinary action under international cricket’s anti-doping regulations and highlights the ICC’s continued enforcement of its rules regarding prohibited substances, regardless of whether their use is linked to sporting performanc

Comment List