ICC slaps UAE batter with 15-month suspension for doping before India match in Asia Cup 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has slapped United Arab Emirates (UAE) batter Asif Khan with a 15-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. On September 8, 2025, just ahead of UAE's T20 Asia Cup 2025 match against India, Lahore-born Asif tested positive for metabolite of mesterolone. 

The veteran batter has admitted to violating Article 2.1 of the ICC Anti-Doping Code. He accepted the 15-month period of ineligibility via a Case Resolution Agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

ALSO READ: Sonal Dinusha becomes 1st batter since 1959 to achieve rare feat in Test cricket

However, the 15-month period of ineligibility which started on September 2025. Asif will be unable to play until December 7, 2026. He is set to miss all remaining matches of ACC Men's Premier Cup which concludes on September 8.

ALSO READ: BCCI announces India Under-19 squad for Australia series: Dravid, Sehwag’s sons make the One-Day team

"Asif will be permitted to return to training with a team or use the facilities of a club or other ICC Member organisation from October 8, but will only be eligible to return to competitive cricket from December 8," the ICC statement said.

Asif’s T20 stats after September 8 disqualified

After he tested positive for the banned substance, he played three games in the T20 Asia Cup 2026. His scores of 2, 2 and 0 against India, Oman and Pakistan respectively will be disqualified, erased from his career numbers.

Also, he featured in the Abu Dhabi T10 league for Moeen Ali-led Ajman Titans and in the ILT20 2025-26 for James Vince-led Gulf Giants. His last appearance in competitive cricket in December 23, 2025 against MI Emirates.

Asif’s career from Pakistan to UAE

Asif played first-class cricket fore Lahore before moving to UAE. He made his professional cricket debut in 2007. He had represented Pakistan Under-19 as well. 

Asif made his ODI debut for UAE in 2022 against Oman. He made his T20I debut against New Zealand in 2023. 

So far, Asif has played 38 ODIs and scored 1,270 runs at an average of 38.48, including three centuries and seven half-centuries. 

In T20Is, Asif has played 1,302 runs from 56 innings at an average of 28.30 and strike rate of 137.92. He has six fifties in his T20I career.