Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Nawaz has been handed a three-month ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a violation of the governing body's anti-doping code. According to an official ICC statement, the suspension has been backdated to May 1, 2026, marking the date he commenced a voluntary provisional suspension.
The 32-year-old cricketer tested positive for a Substance of Abuse, specifically Carboxy-THC, during a doping test conducted after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 7. The ICC noted that Nawaz admitted to the offense and provided evidence that the substance was used out-of-competition in a manner unrelated to sporting performance.
As a result of the violation, the ICC has disqualified all of Nawaz’s records from the match against the Netherlands on February 7 and all subsequent matches played until May 1, 2026. During this period, Nawaz participated in all seven of Pakistan’s World Cup fixtures and appeared in every game for his Pakistan Super League side, Multan Sultans, most recently on April 29.
Nawaz has accepted the sanction and agreed to participate in a substance abuse treatment program. Having already served two-and-a-half months of his provisional suspension, the player will not be required to serve any further period of ineligibility, provided he completes the treatment program to the satisfaction of the ICC. Once this program is finalized, his overall suspension will be reduced to one month. While Nawaz has previously played six Test matches, he is currently regarded by Pakistan primarily as a white-ball specialist, and the team had no white-ball commitments during his period of ineligibility.
Mohammad Nawaz last played for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup•S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images
