DUBAI: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has admitted to violating the ICC Anti-Doping Code and agreed to participate in a rehabilitation program, leading the International Cricket Council (ICC) to lift his provisional suspension.
According to the ICC, the 32-year-old underwent a doping test on February 7, 2026, following Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The test detected the presence of a prohibited substance in his sample.
In accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code, all of Nawaz’s match results and individual performances from the February 7 match against the Netherlands through May 1, 2026, have been disqualified.
The ICC said Nawaz acknowledged that the prohibited substance was used outside of competition and was not intended to enhance his sporting performance.
As a result of the violation, the ICC imposed a three-month period of ineligibility. However, the sanction is deemed to have begun on May 1, 2026, the date on which Nawaz voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension.
The governing body added that if Nawaz successfully completes the required rehabilitation program related to the use of the prohibited substance, his period of ineligibility will be reduced from three months to one month, in line with the applicable anti-doping regulations.
The ICC confirmed that Nawaz has formally agreed to take part in the rehabilitation program. Consequently, following the completion of approximately two and a half months under provisional suspension, the ICC has lifted his provisional suspension, allowing the remaining disciplinary process to proceed under the agreed terms.
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