Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been sanctioned for an anti-doping violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, accepting a three-month period of ineligibility.
The violation
The 32-year-old tested positive for Carboxy-THC, classed as a Substance of Abuse, after a test following Pakistan’s opening 2026 T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7. Nawaz took two wickets and scored six as Pakistan won by three wickets.
He admitted the violation but said the substance was not taken to enhance sporting performance.
The sanction
The ban drops to one month if he completes a Substance of Abuse treatment programme. It is backdated to May 1, 2026, when he began a voluntary provisional suspension, so he has already served about two and a half months.
Under the code, his performance in the Netherlands game and his statistics from every later match up to May 1, 2026 have been disqualified.
Nawaz’s record and Pakistan’s plans
Nawaz has 198 international appearances for Pakistan. His last professional cricket was in the 2026 Pakistan Super League for Multan Sultans, for whom he played 10 matches, scoring 54 runs and taking six wickets.
Pakistan are preparing for a busy Test schedule, starting with two matches in the West Indies followed by three in England. Babar Azam has been reinstated as captain for both tours in a much-changed squad. The first Test against the West Indies starts on July 25 at the Brian Lara Stadium.
