Pakistan international Mohammad Nawaz has been handed a three-month suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after a drug test revealed the presence of a cannabis-related substance. The all-rounder tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of THC found in cannabis, following Pakistan's Twenty20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in February.
The sanction, announced by the governing body on Friday, was backdated to 1 May, the date Nawaz voluntarily began a provisional suspension. Having already served approximately two and a half months under this provisional ban and agreeing to undertake a rehabilitation programme, his suspension has now been lifted. Carboxy-THC is classified as a Substance of Abuse under the ICC's Anti-Doping Code.
Nawaz admitted the violation, and the ICC confirmed that the substance was used out of competition and was not linked to enhancing sporting performance. As part of the anti-doping code, the ICC has also disqualified all of Nawaz's records from the Netherlands match on 7 February and all subsequent matches played up to 1 May.
The 32-year-old featured in all seven of Pakistan's T20 World Cup fixtures earlier this year, where they reached the Super Eights stage. During the tournament, he scored 15 runs and took seven wickets. He was also a key part of the Pakistan squad that reached the T20 World Cup final in 2022, where they were defeated by England, with Ben Stokes hitting the winning runs.
With his suspension now concluded, Nawaz could be available for selection for Pakistan's upcoming three-match Test series against England. The series is set to begin on 19 August at Headingley, followed by the second Test at Lord's, and concluding at Edgbaston in September. While Nawaz has played six Tests for his country, his last appearance in the format was in December 2022 during England's series whitewash in Pakistan.