DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Pakistani All-Rounder Muhammad Nawaz for three months following an Anti-Doping Rule Breach.
The all-rounder was found positive for Substance of Abuse (Carboxy-THC) through an anti-doping test conducted after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands at Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 7 February.
Nawaz accepted his offence and showed that the substance was used out of competition and not associated with sport performance.
Consequently, he has been banned from cricket for three months, starting from 1 May 2026, which is the date he initiated a voluntary provisional suspension, but the ban has been reduced to one month upon completing a substance abuse treatment program.
In addition to accepting the ban and joining a substance abuse treatment program, Nawaz’s provisional suspension has been terminated after serving a two and a half (2 ½) month suspension.
Provided that Nawaz completes a substance abuse treatment program to the satisfaction of the ICC, Nawaz will not be suspended for any further period of ineligibility.
As per the requirements of the ICC Anti-Doping Code, the records of Nawaz from the match against the Netherlands on 7 February and subsequent matches until 1 May 2026 have been disqualified.
Muhammad Nawaz Written Statement
Earlier, the Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Nawaz had informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of his written position on testing positive for a banned recreational drug during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In this regard, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board had said that the ICC has initiated the action regarding Muhammad Nawaz, and it will complete this action.
According to reports, if the allegation is proven, action can be taken against him under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Mohammad Nawaz was under investigation by the PCB after a positive test for recreational drug use.
Nawaz’s deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast in England has fallen through as a result. Nawaz has played 98 T20Is for Pakistan.
“The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process.
The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today.” The media has learned that the positive result comes from testing during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
