Pakistan Spinner Mohammad Nawaz Handed Three-Month Anti-Doping Sanction, List of Pakistani Players Banned in the Past

Pakistan left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for violating the ICC Anti-Doping Code, with the sanction reduced to one month upon successful completion of a substance abuse treatment programme.

The 32-year-old tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a Substance of Abuse, in a test conducted after Pakistan's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 7 February. Nawaz admitted the offence and provided evidence that the substance was used out of competition. He was also under investigation of PCB during the Pakistan Super League this year.

Under the terms of the sanction, the three-month ineligibility period is backdated to 1 May 2026, the date on which Nawaz began a voluntary provisional suspension. The period will be reduced to one month once he completes the approved treatment programme to the ICC's satisfaction. Following acceptance of the sanction and commitment to the treatment, Nawaz's provisional suspension has been lifted after he served two and a half months.

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In line with ICC Anti-Doping Code requirements, all of Nawaz's results from the 7 February match against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup and any subsequent matches up to 1 May 2026 have been disqualified. This includes the removal of any individual or team points, statistics, or awards earned during that period.

The ICC confirmed the outcome following Nawaz's acceptance of the charge and the agreed sanction. Nawaz, a key member of Pakistan's white-ball squads in recent years, is now eligible to resume competitive cricket immediately. His return will be monitored under the ICC's anti-doping protocols to ensure ongoing compliance. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not issued an immediate statement on the matter.

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Pakistan and Doping Issues

Pakistan players and doping have been a long-standing phenomenon. Many players from the nation have faced bans and sanctions from the apex body in the past for the use of unregulated and prohibited drugs.

Ahmed Shehzad (2018)

The opening batter received a four-month ban from the PCB after testing positive for a prohibited substance (metandienone) during a domestic Pakistan Cup match.

Yasir Shah (2015)

The leg-spinner was banned for three months by the ICC after testing positive for chlortalidone (a diuretic). He admitted to taking his wife's blood pressure medication by mistake.

Raza Hasan (2015)

The left-arm spinner was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine during a domestic tournament.

Abdur Rehman (2012)

The left-arm spinner received a 12-week ban for cannabis use.

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif (2006)

Both tested positive for nandrolone before the Champions Trophy. Akhtar's ban was largely overturned on appeal; Asif faced longer sanctions in subsequent cases.