Mohammad Nawaz Suspended Three Months for Cannabis Use

Details of the Doping Case

Pakistan all‑rounder Mohammad Nawaz received a three‑month suspension after a positive dope test at this year’s T20 World Cup. The substance detected was Carboxy‑THC, an inactive metabolite of cannabis, and the ICC said it was linked to a “substance of abuse” rather than performance enhancement. The test followed Pakistan’s match against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7, with the tournament co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Nawaz began a voluntary provisional suspension on May 1, which the ICC later backdated as his period of ineligibility.

He admitted to using the substance out of competition and unrelated to his sport, and the ICC accepted the charge. After signing on to a rehabilitation program, Nawaz’s provisional suspension was lifted having already served two and a half months. The governing body stipulated that completion of the program will reduce the total ban to one month.

ICC Sanctions and Rehabilitation Terms

The ICC announced a three‑month period of ineligibility, subject to Nawaz successfully finishing a substance‑abuse treatment course. If the rehab is completed to the ICC’s satisfaction, the remaining two months are waived, leaving only a one‑month ban. The sanction is backdated to May 1, the date his voluntary provisional suspension began. Nawaz also agreed to undergo further rehab, which triggered the lifting of his provisional suspension.

The statement from the world’s governing cricket body highlighted Nawaz’s acceptance of responsibility and his demonstration that the cannabis use occurred outside competition. This compliance allowed the ICC to reduce the punitive period based on his proactive steps toward recovery. The decision reflects the ICC’s emphasis on rehabilitation over pure punishment for non‑performance‑related substance abuse.

Consequences for Match Records

Under the ICC Anti‑Doping Code, all statistical records from Nawaz’s appearance in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup clash versus the Netherlands on February 7 are nullified. This disqualification extends to every subsequent match he played up to May 1, removing those performances from official tallies. The removal impacts his contributions during the tournament and any post‑match standings that referenced his bowling or batting figures. The action underscores the code’s strict enforcement of clean competition standards.