Mohammad Nawaz sanctioned over cannabis-related positive test
The ICC said the Pakistan all-rounder accepted an anti-doping violation after testing positive following a T20 World Cup match in February.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council after a cannabis-related positive test, Reuters reported. The case affects his official records from part of the men’s T20 World Cup and brings a three-month suspension that the ICC said can be reduced if he completes a rehabilitation programme.
The ICC said Nawaz accepted the anti-doping violation. According to the governing body, he also showed the substance was used outside competition and was not connected to improving sporting performance.
Positive test followed Netherlands match
Reuters reported that the 32-year-old tested positive for Carboxy-THC after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in February. The ICC identifies Carboxy-THC as a metabolite of THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.
The substance is classified as a “Substance of Abuse” under the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code, the governing body said. That classification shaped how the sanction was handled, including the role of rehabilitation in reducing the ban.
The ICC imposed a three-month suspension on Nawaz, backdated to May 1. Reuters reported that May 1 was the date he began a voluntary provisional suspension.
According to the ICC, Nawaz had served about two and a half months under that provisional suspension and agreed to undergo rehabilitation. The governing body said his provisional suspension had therefore been lifted.
World Cup records disqualified
The ICC said Nawaz’s records from Pakistan’s February 7 match against the Netherlands, and from later matches through May 1, have been disqualified under its anti-doping code. Reuters reported that the sanction covers the period after the test at the T20 World Cup.
Nawaz played in all seven of Pakistan’s matches at this year’s men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, according to Reuters. His appearances ran from Pakistan’s opening game against the Netherlands through the Super Eights stage, where Pakistan were eliminated.
Reuters reported that Nawaz scored 15 runs and took seven wickets during the tournament. The ICC’s statement did not add further match-by-match detail on how the disqualification would be reflected in official records.
The sanction adds Nawaz to the list of players disciplined under cricket’s anti-doping rules for substances covered by the ICC code. In this case, the governing body said the player admitted the violation and linked the substance use to circumstances outside competition.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.