Nawaz under PCB investigation after positive test for recreational drug use

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Nawaz is 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. Nawaz, 32, played in all seven of Pakistan’s matches in Sri Lanka as they were eliminated at the Super Eight stage, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets. Nawaz had agreed to sign for Surrey, and was due to be available throughout the Blast, which runs from May 26 until July 18.

The PCB announced two weeks ago that Nawaz had been granted a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Blast, and Surrey had planned to announce his signing this week. But the media has learned that the deal has now fallen through, and Nawaz will no longer join the club this summer. Surrey declined to comment.

Nawaz has been an ever-present for Multan Sultans in the ongoing PSL season, and bowled three wicketless overs in their six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in Karachi on Tuesday night.