NEW DELHI: Pakistan star all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was suspended for three months after failing a drug test during the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the decision on Friday, saying the positive test was related to a “substance of abuse” that was not related to sports performance enhancement.However, Nawaz’s suspension will be reduced to one month if he successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program. His period of ineligibility was pushed back to May 1, the date he began a voluntary provisional suspension.
ICC on Nawaz
The ICC said in a statement: “Pakistan spin-bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility (which will be reduced to one month after completing a substance abuse treatment programme) for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code.”The governing body added: “Subject to Nawaz completing a substance abuse rehabilitation program to the satisfaction of the ICC, Nawaz will not be required to serve the remainder of the three-month period of ineligibility.”
Test positive for cannabis metabolite
The 32-year-old tested positive for Carboxy-THC, an inactive metabolite produced in the liver after consuming cannabis. I underwent the drug test after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7.The tournament was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing their matches in Sri Lanka under an agreement with the ICC.
Nawaz admits the offence
The ICC said that Nawaz accepted the charge and proved that the substance was taken out of competition and had no connection with enhancing his performance.“Nawaz admitted to the offense and showed that the substance had been used out of competition, in a way that is not related to sports performance,” the world body said.After accepting the sanction and agreeing to undergo rehabilitation, Nawaz’s provisional suspension was lifted, after he had already served two and a half months.
Disqualified match records
Under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz’s records from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against Netherlands on February 7 and all subsequent matches till May 1 have been disqualified.