Pakistan's spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the ICC following a positive doping test. His records during the specified period have been disqualified.

Key Takeaways

  • Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz sanctioned by ICC for anti-doping violations.
  • Prohibited substance 'Carboxy-THC' detected in the player's sample.
  • Nawaz admitted the violation, potentially reducing his 3-month ban to 1 month upon rehabilitation.
  • All individual records from February 7 to May 1, 2026, have been disqualified.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken decisive action against Pakistani spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz for breaching anti-doping regulations. Following a positive test for a prohibited substance, the ICC has imposed a suspension, marking a significant setback for the veteran player and the Pakistan national team.

The Incident and Substance Detected

The controversy stems from a drug test conducted on February 7, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The analysis revealed the presence of Carboxy-THC, a substance strictly prohibited under the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Upon being confronted, Nawaz admitted to the violation, maintaining that the consumption occurred outside of competition and was not intended to enhance performance.

Sanctions and Rehabilitation Clause

Under the ICC's disciplinary framework, Nawaz has been handed a three-month suspension, backdated to May 1, 2026, coinciding with his voluntary provisional suspension. However, there is a provision for leniency: if Nawaz successfully completes a prescribed rehabilitation program to the satisfaction of the ICC, his suspension period may be reduced from three months to just one month.

Erasure of Sporting Records

In a move to uphold the integrity of the game, the ICC has officially disqualified all individual records achieved by Mohammad Nawaz between the match against the Netherlands on February 7 and his provisional suspension on May 1, 2026. This ensures that any statistical achievements during this period are wiped from the official international cricket annals, emphasizing the zero-tolerance policy towards doping in professional sports.