Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a suspension under the ICC Anti-Doping Code after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the player admitted the anti-doping rule violation and accepted the sanction.
The positive test was recorded after Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands. The match was played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 7, 2026.
According to the ICC, the prohibited substance detected in the sample was Carboxy-THC. The substance is classified as a Substance of Abuse under the ICC Anti-Doping Code.
Carboxy-THC is the primary inactive metabolite produced when the human body breaks down THC, which is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It can be detected in urine, blood, and hair after cannabis use.
Mohammad Nawaz admitted the violation during the investigation. He also established that the substance had been consumed outside competition and that its use was not connected to improving sporting performance.
Based on the ICC Anti-Doping Code, the player received a three-month period of ineligibility. The suspension was backdated to May 1, 2026, the date on which he voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension.
However, the ICC has also confirmed that the suspension may be reduced if certain conditions are met. If Mohammad Nawaz successfully completes an approved Substance of Abuse rehabilitation program, the total suspension will be reduced from three months to one month.
The player has accepted both the suspension and the requirement to complete the rehabilitation program. According to the ICC, he has committed to participating in the program as part of the disciplinary process.
The governing body also stated that Nawaz’s provisional suspension has already been lifted. This decision came after he completed approximately two and a half months of the original suspension period.
If the rehabilitation program is completed successfully and meets the ICC’s requirements, the remaining portion of the suspension will not have to be served.
As part of the disciplinary action, the ICC also ruled that Nawaz’s individual result from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands has been officially disqualified.
The case was handled under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, which sets out strict rules for prohibited substances and the consequences of anti-doping violations. The regulations also provide reduced sanctions in specific situations involving substances classified as Substances of Abuse, provided athletes can prove the substance was used outside competition and was unrelated to sports performance.
The ICC’s decision highlights the importance of compliance with anti-doping regulations across international cricket. All players are required to follow these rules to maintain fairness and integrity in the sport.
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With the provisional suspension now lifted, Mohammad Nawaz could become eligible to return to competitive cricket after completing the required rehabilitation program to the satisfaction of the ICC. The final outcome will depend on the successful completion of the program and compliance with all conditions outlined by the governing body.
