Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz Accepts ICC Anti-Doping Sanction… Spinner Avoids Longer Ban After ‘Substance Abuse’ Case

Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a sanction under the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Doping Code after testing positive for a prohibited substance during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The 32-year-old returned an adverse analytical finding for Carboxy-THC, a substance classified under the ICC’s “Substance of Abuse” category, following a doping test conducted after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 7, 2026.

According to the ICC, Nawaz admitted to the anti-doping rule violation and successfully established that the substance had been consumed outside of competition and was not intended to enhance his sporting performance.

Suspension reduced after admission

Under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz initially received a three-month period of ineligibility, which became effective from May 1, 2026, the date he voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension.

However, the governing body confirmed that the suspension will effectively be reduced to one month, provided the Pakistan cricketer successfully completes an ICC-approved substance abuse treatment programme.

Since Nawaz has already spent approximately two-and-a-half months under provisional suspension and committed to undergoing rehabilitation, the ICC has lifted his provisional suspension.

The ICC stated that if he completes the rehabilitation programme to its satisfaction, he will not have to serve any additional period of ineligibility.

Match results disqualified

As per the ICC Anti-Doping Code, all of Nawaz’s individual results from Pakistan’s World Cup fixture against the Netherlands on February 7, along with any subsequent matches he played before May 1, 2026, have been officially disqualified.

The sanction affects only the player’s individual results and follows the standard anti-doping regulations applicable to all international cricketers.

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PCB had confirmed ICC communication

Earlier this year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that it had been informed by the ICC regarding Nawaz’s potential anti-doping rule violation.

In a statement issued to ESPNcricinfo in April 2026, the PCB said it had initiated the required disciplinary process after receiving communication from the ICC and would cooperate fully with the governing body.

Nawaz’s recent performances

Mohammad Nawaz represented Pakistan in all seven matches during the T20 World Cup 2026, where the team was knocked out in the Super Eight stage.

The left-arm spinner scored 15 runs and claimed seven wickets during the tournament.

Before the suspension, Nawaz also featured for the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he scored 54 runs and picked up six wickets across 10 matches.

With the provisional suspension now lifted and rehabilitation underway, Nawaz could soon become eligible to return to competitive cricket, subject to successfully completing the ICC’s treatment programme.