Cricket
oi-Ashish Rana
ICC has suspended Pakistan’s all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz from all forms of cricket for three months after he breached ICC’s anti-doping rules. The ICC announced the sanction on Friday after Mohammad Nawaz tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of cannabis classified as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ under ICC Anti-Doping Code. Although, the all-round spinner can avoid the serving full ban if he successfully completes treatment of substance abuse programme approved by ICC.
Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Nawaz received a three-month ICC ban for violating anti-doping rules after testing positive for cannabis metabolite Carboxy-THC, with match results from February 7 to May 1 disqualified.
Why Was Mohammad Nawaz Banned?
The ICC violation was found after a test conducted on Pakistan’s Men Team in T20 World Cup 2026 match against Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7 February. The sample taken by the team was turned positive for Carboxy-THC, the primary metabolite detected in routine cannabis drug tests. THC is a psychoactive component in cannabis that provides intoxicating effects.
According to ICC, Mohammad Nawaz admitted to violation and demonstrated and said that substance he used is out of competition and was not meant to enhance sporting performance. However, under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, if the player accepts the responsibility and takes the rehabilitation programme their sanction can be reduced.
His ban has been effected from 1 May, when Nawaz himself started serving the ban.
Ban Could Be Reduced After Rehabilitation
ICC also said if Nawaz completes the rehab training programme, his suspension will be reduced to one month. Since the suspension was back dated and Nawaz has already completed his two and a half months ban, ICC has already lifted provisional suspension after Nawaz accepted to go treatment.
The ICC’s approach tells that if the player himself takes the responsibilities and believes it has taken with no intentions of enhancing the performance, ICC is all ready to reduce the sanctions.
Match Results Disqualified Under ICC Rules
As mentioned in ICC Anti-Doping Code, Mohammad Nawaz’s results from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches against the Netherlands on 7 February, also the matches he played from 7 February to 1 May have disqualified.
Disqualification of the results is a standard procedure and in the part of anti-doping cases, regardless of whether the banned substance is for enhancement of performance. The rule has made to maintain the integrity of international cricket.
What This Means for Nawaz and Pakistan Cricket
Mohammad Nawaz was last seen playing in PSL for Multan Sultans and his campaign was very below average, and he scored 54 runs in six innings with 13.5 average. He also got six wickets in nine innings.
Mohammad Nawaz has been a significant player to the Pakistan’s team and he has been consistent in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Squads from 2022 world cup.
