The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Nawaz for violating the ICC’s anti-doping code, imposing a three-month ban. According to an ICC statement, the ban was backdated to May 1, 2026, when he began a voluntary provisional suspension.
After accepting the sentence and agreeing to a substance abuse treatment program, Mohammad provisional suspension was lifted after serving a two-and-a-half-month ban, which is now complete. After completing the program, the punishment will be reduced to one month.
According to an ICC media statement, “Nawaz admitted the offence and demonstrated that the substance was used out-of-competition and in a manner unrelated to sport performance.”
“The 32-year-old tested positive for a Substance of Abuse (Carboxy-THC) under the ICC Anti-Doping Code following a doping test carried out after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7 February.
Subject to Nawaz completing a substance of abuse treatment program to the ICC’s satisfaction, Mohammad will not be required to serve any further period of ineligibility.” Mohammad records from the 7 February encounter against the Netherlands, as well as subsequent matches until 1 May 2026, have been nullified in accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code.
Cricinfo initially reported in April that Nawaz was being investigated following a positive test for recreational drug use at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. As a result, his deal to play for Surrey in England’s T20 Blast fell through. He was expected to be available for Surrey from May 26 to July 18, during his three-month suspension.
Nawaz appeared in all seven games of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, as well as every game for his PSL team Multan Sultans, most recently on April 29. Pakistan had no white-ball commitments during Nawaz’s ineligibility period; while he has played six Test matches, the most recent being over four years ago, and he is largely regarded by Pakistan as a white-ball specialist.
When reached by Cricinfo, the PCB declined to make an official remark on the situation.
