Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has admitted to violating the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Doping Code. Nawaz had tested positive for doping (Carboxy-THC) after a regulates following ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match against Colombo on February 7 in Colombo.
Nawaz has been slapped with a three-month suspension which can be reduced to one month after he completes the treatment programme for substance abuse.
The 32-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder said that the substance was used out-of-competition. The substance abuse was not intent to enhance his performance on the field.
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The suspension is backdated to May 1, 2026. Also, the all-rounder had undergone provisional suspension voluntarily. His provisional suspension has been lifted already.
“Subject to Nawaz completing a substance of abuse rehabilitation programme to the ICC’s satisfaction, Nawaz will not be required to serve the remainder of the three-month period of ineligibility,” the ICC said in a statement.
Once the rehabilitation programme is over, he will be eligible for selection. However, his comeback is likely to be on the domestic cricket stage. Pakistan's next tour is of West Indies, featuring two Tests. Then, they head to England for a three-Test series. He hasn't been named in Pakistan's T20I squad for the Asian Games 2026 where Sahibzada Farhan has been appointed as captain.
Nawaz’s T20 World Cup 2026 statistics disqualified
As per ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz's records in all matches starting from the fixture against Netherlands on February 7 have been disqualified.
The match against the Netherlands was Pakistan's campaign opener of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He played the remaining six matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 as well, including the ones against India, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka.
Nawaz did not register a single double-digit score in the tournament. He managed to take seven wickets in the 2026 edition.
After Pakistan's exit from T20 World Cup 2026, he played the entire Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season for Multan Sultans as well.