ISLAMABAD: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been handed a three-month suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for a cannabis-related substance, the governing body said on Friday.
Why was Nawaz suspended?
The 32-year-old tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of THC, the psychoactive component found in cannabis, following Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on February 7.
The substance is classified as a Substance of Abuse under the ICC Anti-Doping Code.
The ICC said Nawaz admitted the violation and demonstrated that the substance was used outside competition and was not related to enhancing sporting performance.
His suspension has been backdated to May 1, when he began a voluntary provisional suspension. The ICC said Nawaz’s ban may be reduced after he completes a rehabilitation programme.
What impact will the suspension have?
The ICC said Nawaz’s playing records from the Netherlands match on February 7 and subsequent matches until May 1 have been disqualified in accordance with anti-doping regulations.
Nawaz played in all seven of Pakistan’s matches during the men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, from the opening game against the Netherlands through the Super Eights stage, where Pakistan were eliminated.
During the tournament, Nawaz scored 15 runs and took seven wickets.
The ICC said Nawaz had already served around two and a half months under provisional suspension before agreeing to undertake rehabilitation, following which his provisional suspension was lifted.