The International Cricket Council handed Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz a three-month period of ineligibility for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code [1].
The sanction impacts one of Pakistan's key left-arm spin-bowling assets during a critical competitive cycle. Because the breach occurred during the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo, Sri Lanka, it raises questions about athlete conduct during major international tournaments.
Nawaz tested positive for Carboxy-THC [3], which is a metabolite of cannabis. The governing body said the substance is prohibited under current anti-doping regulations [3].
As part of the penalty, the ICC disqualified Nawaz's match records for a specific window of time. According to an ICC release, "Nawaz's records from the match against the Netherlands on 7 February and in subsequent matches until 1 May 2026 have been disqualified" [1]. This range covers a significant portion of the early year's competitive schedule [1].
While some reports suggested a shorter three-match ban [4], the official ICC position remains a three-month suspension [1]. However, there is a path for the player to return to the field sooner. The ban may be reduced to one month if Nawaz completes a substance-of-abuse treatment programme [2].
The ICC did not provide further details regarding the specific circumstances of the positive test. Nawaz said he has accepted the period of ineligibility [2].
The disqualification of records from 7 February to 1 May 2026 means any statistics or contributions Nawaz made during those appearances will be stripped from the official record [1].
“Nawaz tested positive for Carboxy-THC, which is a metabolite of cannabis.”
This sanction highlights the ICC's strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, where cannabis metabolites are treated as prohibited substances regardless of performance-enhancing intent. By disqualifying match records over several months, the ICC is effectively erasing Nawaz's professional contributions during that period, which can impact a player's career statistics and standing within the national team selection process.
