Mohammad Nawaz accepts anti-doping sanction, cleared to return after rehabilitation programme

Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has accepted a three-month period of ineligibility for breaching the ICC Anti-Doping Code after testing positive for a prohibited Substance of Abuse during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The 32-year-old returned an adverse analytical finding for Carboxy-THC following a doping test conducted after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 7.

Nawaz admitted to the anti-doping rule violation and established that the substance had been used out of competition and in a manner unrelated to enhancing sporting performance.

As a result, he was handed a three-month suspension, backdated to May 1, 2026, the date on which he voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension.

However, under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, the sanction will be reduced to one month upon successful completion of an approved substance of abuse rehabilitation programme.

Having already served approximately two and a half months of his provisional suspension and accepted the sanction, Nawaz’s provisional suspension has now been lifted. Subject to completing the rehabilitation programme to the ICC’s satisfaction, he will not be required to serve the remainder of the original three-month period of ineligibility.

In accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code, Nawaz’s playing records from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on February 7, along with all subsequent matches until May 1, 2026, have been disqualified.

Nawaz featured for Pakistan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the decision clears the way for his return to competitive cricket once the rehabilitation process is successfully completed.