Pakistan star suspended after failing drug test during T20 World Cup

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s star all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been suspended for three months after he failed a drug test during the T20 World Cup this year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the decision on Friday, saying the positive test was related to a “substance of abuse” unrelated to sports performance enhancement.However, if Nawaz successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program, Nawaz’s suspension will be reduced to one month. His period of ineligibility was backdated to May 1, the date he began his voluntary temporary suspension.

ICC on Nawaz

The ICC said in a statement: “Pakistan’s spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month ban (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: “Provided Nawaz completes a substance abuse rehabilitation program to the ICC’s satisfaction, Nawaz will not be required to serve the remainder of the three-month ban.”

Tested positive for cannabis metabolite

The 32-year-old man tested positive for Carboxy-THC, an inactive metabolite produced in the liver after consuming cannabis. He underwent a drug test after Pakistan’s World T20 match against the Netherlands in Colombo on 7 February.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 confessed to the crime

The ICC said Nawaz accepted the charges and proved the substance was taken out of competition and had no connection to enhancing his performance.“Nawaz confessed to the crime and proved that the substance was used out of competition, in a way unrelated to sports performance,” the world body said.After accepting the sanction and agreeing to rehabilitation, Nawaz’s temporary suspension was lifted as he had already served two and a half months.

Match records disqualified

Under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz’s records from Pakistan’s World T20 match against the Netherlands on February 7 and all subsequent matches up to May 1 were disqualified.